Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Fergie expects Turf war
SIR Alex Ferguson is relying on United's know-how to overcome the red-hot cauldron awaiting them at Burnley tonight.
The United boss is expecting his side to face a hostile atmosphere as Turf Moor hosts top-flight football for the first time since 1976, with the Lancashire town ready to claim their biggest ever scalp.
Last term they beat Arsenal and Spurs at home in the League Cup and the United boss knows it's going to be a challenge. "Burnley is a fantastic story," he said. "I watched them last season. I saw their game against Arsenal and they played very well.
"They have not been in the top division for 33 years. It is a long time and this is a big day for them. It is terrific for them.
"No matter what happens this season it will be a terrific experience for them. But you can imagine what the atmosphere will be like at Turf Moor. It will be absolutely red-hot.
"That is where we hope our experience comes into it. We hope it helps in that situation.”
But despite their outstanding leap into the top division via the play-offs, the United boss still believes Burnley manager Owen Coyle won't be afforded a sympathetic hearing if it goes wrong.
Difficult
“It's a results industry,” Fergie added. “No matter what we think is fair or how difficult we think it is to get into the Premier League, some directors don't think that way.
“Having won promotion the previous year in the Championship, they think they can win the Premier League.
“That's their mentality. Their decisions are results-fuelled also by the local press perhaps or the local butcher.
“If they go into the butcher's and someone says: 'Your team had a bad result on Saturday', they panic because the local butcher's giving them a bit of stick.
“They might get a bad steak from him, or the milkman might refuse to bring the milk!
“I hope Owen's got an understanding chairman. To be honest, I think every manager's under the same pressure, I really do.
“I just think it's a must-win industry. I don't think it matters what you've spent, what you've not spent. It doesn't matter. If they're not staying in that Premier Division, they're getting the sack. It's a horrible part of their life.”
