Premiership: Johnsen glad Fergie rumours have been proved right

Manchester United defender Ronny Johnsen has admitted he was expecting some news on Alex Ferguson before yesterday’s announcement that he was in talks about a contract to stay on as United boss.

Manchester United defender Ronny Johnsen has admitted he was expecting some news on Sir Alex Ferguson before yesterday’s announcement that he was in talks about a contract to stay on as United boss.

The Norwegian revealed that the news was confirmed to the players after training that the Scot, who has been in charge at Old Trafford since November 1986, is close to agreeing to stay on.

‘‘I heard it on the radio before and the rumours were in the papers,’’ he said.

‘‘Things had been dragging on for a while, so then you think it could happen.

‘‘After training, he said he wanted to have a meeting and I think then everybody knew what was going to happen.

‘‘He was a little bit annoyed because it had come out in the papers before he had had time to tell us.

‘‘He’s been our manager for so many years and it’s great for us.

‘‘He brought me here and everything that I’ve won, I’ve won with United, so what more can I say?

‘‘You have more and more respect for him the longer you work with him and he’s a tremendous manager.’’

Mikael Silvestre was equally pleased that Ferguson is set to remain as Manchester United manager and the defender has no doubts he is right to carry on.

Even though Ferguson is 60, Silvestre claims he has already shown this season that he has the drive and energy to keep going.

‘‘I don’t know how long he’s going to stay on, one year more, two years more or whatever, but it’s good that I’ll continue to work with him,’’ he said.

‘‘He isn’t staying to relax himself. This season was supposed to be his last season, but now it’s not so.

‘‘We’re still in a good position in the Champions League and the league and we will fight until the end of the season and see what happens.

‘‘Every season under him we’re going to play for everything.’’