Fergie unimpressed by Wiley question

Alex Ferguson refused to answer a question on the Alan Wiley situation at a press conference today.

The Manchester United manager this evening faced the media for the first time since being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for allegedly questioning Wiley’s fitness.

Ferguson was at an obligatory event in Russia ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League Group B tie against CSKA Moscow when he was asked to comment on the charge.

“Silly question gets no answer,” the Scot said. “I’m not answering it.

“We’re at a press conference for a game tomorrow. We’re here to talk about that.”

At that point Ferguson decided to end the press conference, which had already run for 22 minutes, and left the room.

Ferguson caused a media storm with his remarks about Wiley after his side’s 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw against Sunderland on October 3.

United have travelled to Moscow without a number of key players in Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra and Park Ji-Sung.

Evra will be fit for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool and Ferguson is also hopeful Rooney, Giggs and Fletcher will return.

Ferguson said: “Evra just had a little problem and we decided to leave him because we are quite well covered.

“I am hoping by Sunday Rooney, Fletcher and Giggs will be fit.”

Rooney has been troubled by a calf injury since England’s trip to Ukraine 11 days ago while Fletcher was also hurt on international duty.

Giggs and Evra suffered minor knocks in the draw against Bolton on Saturday.

Park has a knee injury that is likely to sideline him for two weeks.

United top Group B with a maximum six points after victories over Besiktas and Wolfsburg.

But despite the team’s healthy position – and the absence of key players and an impending trip to Liverpool to bear in mind – Ferguson insists he will not be settling for a draw.

He said: “I am not a great believer in ’can afford not to win’. We will try to win and I think that is the incentive for us.”