Manchester United Football Club

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68174

Fergie concerned by agents

16 Feb 2007 - 15:01:01

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Gary Neville's claims that agents are taking too much money out of the game, but believes reputable players' representatives do have a role to play in the game.

The United captain spoke out about the worrying influence of agents at a Professional Footballers' Association function on Thursday claiming they should be banned from the game.

Ferguson revealed that he recently banned an agent from the club's Carrington training complex for 'tapping-up' a number of the club's youth prospects, but he can understand the need for reputable agents in the modern-day game.

"Providing agents are professional and responsible, there is nothing wrong with players going to them for advice," he said.

However, Ferguson would like to see a greater degree of scrutiny into how much agents are paid for their services and admits he is concerned by players becoming owned by the representative themselves.

"The thing that should be investigated is the payments that are made," he continued.

"It is obvious they are taking a lot of money out of football, so much so that they are now able to 'buy' players.

"That is a really dangerous area to go into, because then the agents can control the markets.

"But if they are paid the same rates as lawyers and accountants and have a responsible attitude towards the industry, there is nothing wrong with that."