Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson shocked by riots
[LNB]Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said it had been 'a depressing week' as England comes to terms with a week of rioting and looting.[LNB]Although the problems were triggered in Tottenham, Manchester was caught up on Monday and Tuesday night, with ugly scenes in the city centre and nearby Salford with looters ransacking shops and vehicles set on fire.[LNB] Shocked: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson[LNB]Like the vast majority of the country, Ferguson has been left incredulous at the background of some people caught up in the trouble, knowing the real trouble-causers have probably escaped scot-free.[LNB]'It is a depressing week,' said Ferguson. 'It has been absolutely depressing when you see all the things that are happening in our country.[LNB]'It would be very easy for me to say your country, it doesn't happen it Scotland, but it's really depressing.[LNB]'I was thinking "what is going on?".[LNB]'The guys who are getting away with it are villains. They are never going to be caught. It is all the mugs that get involved (who get caught).[LNB]'Theywant to waken up and appreciate the society we are in and what their parents have done for them in giving them an opportunity.[LNB]'It is annoying. You hope they see sense.'[LNB] London riots: A building on fire in Croydon earlier this week[LNB]Ferguson was speaking on Friday, where he also predicted that his United side would have many challengers for the league title.[LNB]The 69-year-old dismissed the importance of United's win over local rivals Manchester City in last weekend's Community Shield.[LNB]'It was not the real stuff. That starts on Sunday,' he said. 'Wembley was an occasion. There was rivalry and everyone was motivated. We have to show that in every game.[LNB]'It is going to be tough. It will be a hard campaign, it always is. We will waken up to the fact last week was a different game.'[LNB]Ferguson is given greater confidence because of the youngsters on display last weekend, only goalkeeper David de Gea lacks top-flight experience in England.[LNB]The value of loan spells for Danny Welbeck and Cleverley, both called into Fabio Capello's England squad for this week's postponed encounter with Holland, at Sunderland and Wigan respectively is now being shown.[LNB]Jones has been maturing at Blackburn, whilst Evans and Chris Smalling are already well used to high octane combat with the Reds.[LNB] Still the best: Manchester United clinched their 19th league title last season[LNB]'Picking my team is made easier by the second-half performance last week. When you are 2-0 down in these big games, you don't expect what we saw.[LNB]'Welbeck has played at Wembley two or three times but we wanted to find out how Phil Jones equipped himself, plus Smalling and Cleverley. They were fantastic but we still have to respect the experience of the ones who came off at half-time.'[LNB]For all his immense belief in the young players, it would be a major surprise if Ferguson did not rely on his elder statesmen at West Brom.[LNB]With all five major title rivals to face before the end of October, United cannot afford to make a slow start, especially as Ferguson expects such a major threat to his team.[LNB]'City are still short of a bit of fitness, have Aguero to come in, Tevez to come back and they might buy another two players,' reflected the United boss.[LNB]'The experience Chelsea have is better than anyone. Terry, Drogba and Cech have been there for yonks. They have been involved in the last seven titles. You cannot, in any way, dismiss them.[LNB]'The expectation will be on Liverpool to improve given the money they have spent and you can't rule Arsenal out either.[LNB]'They used to talk about a top four. Now it is the top six. That is even more interesting for everyone.'[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME Vidic wants United to ditch slow-starters tag and hit the ground runningUnited pull plug on Sneijder deal after Dutch ace prices himself out of a moveAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]
