Source: Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson wants FA to act over Wembley pitch
Ferguson selected a host of youngsters against David Moyes's team, who ultimately won a penalty shoot-out at the end of a 0-0 draw to book place in the final against Chelsea next month, after inspecting the Wembley pitch prior to Sunday's clash. [LNB]Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the same surface as "laughable" and "disastrous" following Saturday's semi-final defeat against Chelsea. [LNB] Related ArticlesWembley pitch fiasco: Q&AFerguson suggests Riley was influencedWenger attacks Wembley pitchJagielka reluctant hero for EvertonHoward guides Everton into Cup finalMan United v Everton: FA Cup man markingAnd after making similarly critical comments following United's defeat, Ferguson now fears that the FA's bid to make the national stadium profitable will directly affect the state of the playing surface. [LNB]Ferguson said: "When I saw the pitch, I had reservations about it and that's why I feel I definitely played the right team. I am absolutely convinced about that. [LNB]"I was told that they have events like speedway there, so with it being used for so many other things, they have to keep pulling the pitch up and then put a new one down. [LNB]"If you are changing the pitch all the time, it is difficult for it to bed down. That's why it looked slow. It was spongy and dead. [LNB]"It's an issue for the FA, because of the cost and expense of running the building, that they will have to accept changing the pitch so often. [LNB]"I don't know what they can do about it. The FA run it, it's their baby and they will have to deal with it themselves." [LNB]The FA confirmed the state of the pitch is a concern and said they are focusing on improving it for the numerous fixtures in the next two months. [LNB]"Whilst recent changes to the surface have seen improvements in player traction, we accept there are still further improvements to be made," a statement from the governing body read. [LNB]"Wembley Stadium will continue to work hard to address these issues for our next matches. [LNB]"The grounds team has made continual improvements to the pitch since opening in 2007, however, the stadium's unique environment continues to prove challenging." [LNB]Sunday's 0-0 draw against Everton extended United's goalless run at Wembley to three games and Ferguson's team has still scored just once in five outings at the rebuilt stadium. [LNB]And the United manager believes that the state of the pitch is also contributing to the poor games that have been served up since Wembley was reopened two years ago. [LNB]He said: "There are very few goals going in there and that's an issue too. I worried about it before the game and it also worried me after we beat Spurs on penalties in the Carling Cup Final." United, who face Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday, could lose top spot in the Premier League to Liverpool if Rafael Benitez's team beat Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday. [LNB]But despite suggestions that Wenger may rest key players at Anfield ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final first-leg against United, Ferguson insisted he had no fears about Arsenal tomorrow night. [LNB]He said: "I don't know what Arsene Wenger will be thinking in terms of his team tomorrow. [LNB]"But it doesn't matter what Arsene does because his team will always try to win. His mantra is that he is a winner and I don't expect him not to try. [LNB]"I am only concerned about my own team, though, because I have plenty to think about." [LNB]Uefa said they trusted the FA would find a solution to the pitch problems well ahead of the 2011 Champions League final which is to be held at Wembley. [LNB]Uefa communications director William Gaillard said: "It is far too early worry about it so we trust the FA will find a solution. [LNB]"We also have a rule that no other match can take place in the stadium for at least 10 days beforehand." [LNB]
