Fergie flabbergasted to find Ancelotti in sack race

THERE are those who claim Carlo Ancelotti’s job as Chelsea manager is on the line tonight, and Alex Ferguson can’t believe it.

“Already? It’s incredible. Ancelotti won the Premier League at the first attempt, and the double as well. I don’t understand how he can be criticised,” he said.

“It’s the media atmosphere there is at present that’s to blame. They invent problems where they don’t exist. The papers sensationalise everything to compete with 24-hour sports coverage on TV and with the internet.

“I’m sure Carlo will react like me. Ignore the media and make sure they don’t affect your decisions, your philosophy, or your state of mind.”

Ancelotti has had the edge in the three league encounters so far, as well as over two legs in that dramatic semi-final with Milan back in 2007, and Ferguson believes the two teams meet on equal terms tonight, despite United’s 11-point lead in the league.

“There’s no difference between ourselves and Chelsea,” he said. “Both sides have great players, great experience — and winning managers. In the Champions League it will come down to details.”

Luck also plays a part, and the United manager continues to believe his opposite number has enjoyed the lion’s share.

“Last year they beat us with an offside goal, this year David Luiz should have been sent off. But everyone who wins things enjoys a bit of good fortune. I just hope it turns our way.”

United’s Javier Hernandez already has 17 goals this season, including the winner in the group stage match in Valencia and two in the last round against Marseille. It’s a stark contrast with Chelsea’s Fernando Torres, who has now gone 10 matches for club and country without scoring.

“I’ve no doubt he’ll start scoring again,” said Ferguson.

“I just hope he waits until after the two games against us. When Chelsea signed Torres everyone was saying what a big coup it was. And they were right. Now they’re saying it was a mistake. Can you get more ridiculous than that?”

Nevertheless, Ferguson is obviously delighted with Hernandez’s progress, and his maturity.

“It’s not easy for a boy coming to United and immediately turning into a star. Normally you introduce top-class youngsters gradually, as I did with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“But Chicharito has a big advantage: like him, both his grandad and his dad played for Mexico in the World Cup. It’s that family tradition that pushes him to give his best.”

While young players are coming through Ferguson is convinced Ryan Giggs can go on playing top-level football for another two years and insists he will try and persuade Paul Scholes to continue for another season. “He and Giggs are two of the best 10 players in Manchester United history. If you could bottle what they have you could sell it.

On chasing the treble, he added: “We must play every game. There are 14 matches in two months if all goes well. And at United we are used to that challenge at the end of the season. The treble is still on.”

With a pep in his step Ferguson celebrates his 70th birthday later this year, by which time he will have spent 25 years at Old Trafford. And although his thirst for trophies remains unquenched, Ferguson has admitted he would not resist if the Old Trafford power brokers felt he had gone on too long.

“If I was told, ‘Alex, you are too old, we have decided to turn the page’, no problem. I have done my part here, with an absolutely fantastic career.”