Manchester United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie has domestic issues

03 May 2007 - 08:24:58

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson blamed a hectic domestic schedule for his side's Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of AC Milan.

A 3-0 drubbing in the San Siro ended the Red Devils' hopes of European glory and Ferguson feels the Premier League have to shoulder some of the blame.

With United set to face Manchester City at lunchtime on Saturday, Ferguson said after the loss: "The TV people were happy to have the game played on Sunday morning but the Premier League refused.

"They were worried about the integrity of the competition. You can work out what integrity means.

"I think it was an unfair decision. In other countries their leagues would help clubs to prepare for European games.

"We had a similar situation with the Premier League at Easter when they forced Tottenham to play one-and-a-half days after a European tie to help Chelsea in the Champions League.

"The Premier League shouldn't be interested in the Champions League.

"They should be interested in the Premier League, that is what they have done with their decision about us."

Ferguson also accepted that young stars Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo had struggled to make their mark in the San Siro.

He added: "Rooney and Ronaldo have had a disappointing night, but they're young.

"They'll have seen the professionalism and experience of Milan, which is a good indication of where they've got to get to. But it doesn't just apply to them. It applies to all the players."