Fergie: We'll miss Mourinho
21 Sep 2007 - 11:11:32
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims the departure of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea will be a huge loss to the Premier League.
Ferguson was preparing to face the Portuguese coach for the first competitive time this season in Sunday's showdown at Old Trafford when he heard that Mourinho had left Stamford Bridge.
The veteran Scot has paid a warm tribute to Mourinho, whom he enjoyed a healthy rivalry with during his three-and-a-half years in England.
"Jose leaving Chelsea is a disappointment for the game," he said.
"He was terrific for football and terrific for Chelsea. He brought something fresh and new to our game and I enjoyed the competition with him.
"It is a big test for whoever replaces him - and at the moment that is Avram Grant.
"I will miss the personal challenge but what it does to them doesn't matter to me. We have to be focussed on ourselves and Sunday's game."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed that injured pair Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville will play no part against Chelsea.
Hargreaves remains troubled by a thigh problem picked up on international duty with England, while Neville is continuing his comeback from a long-term leg problem.
"Owen Hargreaves is in training and improving all the time, he's in contention for Coventry (in the Carling Cup next week)," he revealed.
"Gary Neville has joined first team training, but the Coventry game is too early.
"We'll be looking at 7-10 days. For Sunday's game we'll be relying mainly on Wednesday's squad."
