Ferguson blasts English fairness

Alex Ferguson has hit out at the “stupid sense of fairness” in the English game that prevents Premiership teams achieving their potential in Europe.

The Manchester United manager has long argued that the structure of the domestic game – particularly the lack of a winter break – counts against English teams when the European campaigns begin again in February.

His fears have again come to chilling reality with only Liverpool of the four Premiership challengers taking a lead into their knock-out phase second-leg tie this week.

Heavyweight trio United, Chelsea and Arsenal must all come from behind against Milan, Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively if they are to make it through to the last eight.

And, while Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has won few friends lately with a series of outspoken attacks, Ferguson is right alongside him in claiming the lack of flexibility in the English fixture programme handicaps teams in their continental adventures.

“This is England,” he told the Scotsman.

“There is a stupid sense of fairness about our game that hinders teams in Europe.

“‘You can’t do that old boy’, seems to be the attitude. B***** hell, you can do anything you like as long as you don’t break the rules.

“Why should Manchester United not be able to play Everton in the cup on a Friday night before a big European game in midweek? Because of TV demands.

“In countries like France and Portugal they will change to accommodate you. Italy will play on a Saturday but not a Sunday. Chelsea had to play Newcastle on a Sunday with a four o’clock kick-off before they went out to Barcelona.”

Ferguson is convinced if he was managing an Italian club he would have won the Champions League more often than his single triumph with United in 1999.

“There is no doubt in my mind our league is too demanding, with the FA Cup ties on top,” he said.

“Milan played Bologna in an Italian Cup tie and the entire first-team squad was missing. They lost 1-0 because they weren’t interested in being in the next round.

“We can’t do that in the FA Cup. We tried it against Exeter – a non-league team, and got our a***s felt, nearly got properly embarrassed.”