Sir Alex Ferguson believes English coaches must be allowed to spend more time with young players if they are to ever reach the passing ability displayed by Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday night.
Following Manchester United's 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final, Ferguson feels English teams are being handicapped by rules agreed between the Football Association and Premier League that prevent clubs working with youngsters aged 16 and under for any longer than 90 minutes a day.
"People have to understand the mechanics of the industry we are working in," he said. "We are only allowed to coach youngsters for an hour and a half, they [Barcelona] can coach every hour of the day if they want to. That's the great advantage they have got. It is a fantastic philosophy."
Ferguson added: "We hope that in years to come our coaches will be able to spend more time with young kids, to teach them the basics, the technical abilities and the confidence to keep the ball all the time.
"We are good at it, but not as good as Barcelona at this moment in time.
"It is a wonderful challenge and we should always accept a challenge."
Source: PA
