Fergie unhappy with TV times

Alex Ferguson has expressed his concern at the influence TV schedules will have on the outcome of this season’s Premiership title.

Short of anything substantial to worry about on the pitch as his side, without ever hitting the heights of previous weeks, disposed of local rivals City to claim bragging rights in the 146th Manchester derby, Ferguson instead pointed an accusing finger over a fixture list that condemned United to a lunchtime engagement with their neighbours just 63 hours after the completion of their Champions League win over Benfica.

Although United have benefited from being able to play all six league fixtures immediately after European engagements on home soil, unlike Chelsea who have had two away including their own trip to Old Trafford, Ferguson is clearly concerned about what may happen when the Champions League cranks up again next spring.

Already the Scot knows the game which follows the away leg of United’s first knockout round tie will be a Saturday lunchtime visit to Fulham. And, having seen United suffer sure signs of fatigue during the latter stages of yesterday’s game, he believes the men who decide which games will be broadcast should adopt a more sympathetic attitude.

“I don’t think TV has been fair to us,” grumbled Ferguson.

“We have just had three games in eight days and to go from playing on a Wednesday night to Saturday lunchtime is not easy.

“This could easily have been a Sunday game, which would have given us a proper chance to prepare properly.

“Instead, all we did was rest the players, then tell them to go out and grit their teeth.

“In the last 20 minutes you could see the effect of that. Quite understandably, they were pretty tired.”

Although it could be argued Ferguson has contributed to the problem by failing to replenish his squad numbers wise to pursue silverware at home and abroad, it is easy to recognise his point.

Prior to their visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday, Benfica had played the previous Friday at Sporting and this week were handed a Sunday trip to Naval, offering them over two full days extra rest.

Little wonder therefore that Ferguson has taken advantage of the first week free of club or international commitments since the middle of September by giving his players three days off from the intense title battle.

They can enjoy the mini break too, having secured only their third Premiership derby victory over City in nine attempts.

Although Wayne Rooney’s 50th league goal and Louis Saha’s 12th of the season should have seen the Red Devils cruise home, there were a few anxious moments once Hatem Trabelsi had dragged City back into the contest 18 minutes from time.

In the end, Cristiano Ronaldo fired home from close rang to bring United’s points tally to 31 points from their last 11 games.

However, as he moved level with 1968 European Cup winner and Munich survivor Bill Foulkes on the all-time United appearance list, Ryan Giggs insisted no-one in the Old Trafford camp is getting carried away just yet.

“We are on a fantastic run and we are playing with confidence,” said Giggs.

“We have put ourselves in a strong position but there is no point thinking about Chelsea, we just have to maintain our own form, whether that be by grinding results out or playing good football.”

Giggs is expected to eclipse Foulkes by making his 689th appearance in Sunday’s clash with West Ham at Upton Park, which will leave him exactly 70 behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record.

Ferguson has already stated his belief the Wales skipper will make it, although Giggs prefers not to look so far ahead.

“If I think 40 or 50 games ahead, I will just tire myself out,” he said.

“I just try to do my best every week and see what happens.

“To achieve something like this is pleasing. I am proud to have played so many times for the club and hopefully there will be many more. But it is not something I think too much about.”