Souness takes diplomatic line

Graeme Souness was anxious not to “pull Manchester United’s tail and make them angry” ahead of tomorrow’s Worthington Cup semi-final clash at Old Trafford – but his Blackburn assistant Tony Parkes had already given it a sharp tug.

After concluding discussions with prospective loan signing Phillipe Leonard faster than anticipated, Souness made himself available to discuss Rovers’ first-leg tie against Alex Ferguson’s men.