Advertisement
Alex Ferguson: not happy with Stuart Pearce. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Press Association Images

Alex Ferguson criticises FA for confidentiality breach on Phil Jones' shingles

“Phil Jones should be OK, irrespective of Stuart Pearce declaring he had shingles.”

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson today criticised the Football Association for breach of confidentiality after England under-21 coach Stuart Pearce revealed that Phil Jones had shingles.

Earlier this week, Pearce said Jones would miss the friendly clash with Sweden as he was suffering from shingles, annoying Ferguson, who reacted angrily last September after England senior team coach Roy Hodgson said Ashley Young had a knee problem.

“Phil Jones should be OK, irrespective of Stuart Pearce coming out and declaring he had shingles which was thought was in doctor’s confidence,” Ferguson told a news conference. “We’re disappointed in that but it (shingles) is nothing serious — a mild condition that has surfaced but he should be OK, hopefully.”

Ferguson said such statements about players was “something we have to address”, blaming the size of the FA for news leaking out.

“In this case it was the confidence of our doctor and their doctor and it shouldn’t have gone any further. There’s no need for me to speak to Stuart Pearce,” he added.

Manchester United play Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday and Ferguson is confident that winger Ashley Young will return from a knee problem and Jones will be available. Michael Carrick should also overcome a thigh injury, he said.

But the United manager, who is pleased with the depth of his squad, could still rest players, with the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid to come in Spain on Wednesday.

Ferguson is still frustrated at the 4-4 draw with Everton in April last season that handed rivals Manchester City the advantage in the title race.

United were leading 4-2 at home with eight minutes left but conceded two late goals that allowed City to move ahead on goal difference with their 1-0 win over United in the following game at the Etihad Stadium.

“Last season cost us the league: 4-2 up with eight minutes to go was unexpected and you have to anticipate the unexpected in the run and that was a bad blow for us,” Ferguson said.

“But the team is playing well. I’m pleased with the form and the players that are changing around and making different team selections are buying into it very well, all contributing in their own way and that gives us a better chance to deal with the various competitions we’re in now.

“Sunday is the next stage then Real Madrid then the FA Cup, so it’s a terrific spell for Manchester United and you can’t help but feel this is the way we should be.”

- © AFP, 2013

Paulo Berlusconi: Balotelli remark ‘an affectionate one’

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Mahon
    Favourite Joe Mahon
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:01 PM

    That’s a pretty misleading headline in fairness. You’ve taken him out of context there

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:04 PM

    I don’t think ‘These games are great for practicing’ is taking anything out of context.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Grouse
    Favourite Alan Grouse
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:10 PM

    It looks like a poor attempt to paint the bloke in a negative, unsporting light.

    99
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Descolada
    Favourite The Descolada
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:13 PM

    I’d have to disagree there. A small change turns an innocuous comment about the nature of the autumn series into a dig at Ireland, as if he considered the match as nothing more strenuous than a warm-up with a practice squad. Needless sensationalism, in my own humble opinion.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Byrne
    Favourite Sean Byrne
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:19 PM

    Yeah, bad headline

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Mahon
    Favourite Joe Mahon
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:21 PM

    The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”

    What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”

    He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.

    In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Mahon
    Favourite Joe Mahon
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:21 PM

    The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”

    What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”

    He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.

    In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Dylan Nolan
    Favourite Alex Dylan Nolan
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:54 PM

    I agree it is misleading…looking to stir something up…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergus Mccarthy
    Favourite Fergus Mccarthy
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 2:06 PM

    Totally agree. The headline says something totally different to what the article reports. Headline suggests they totally disrespected Ireland which couldn’t be further from the truth judging by his full comment.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john cleary
    Favourite john cleary
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 2:14 PM

    Incorrect Patrick, there’s quite a bit of difference between the two statements and the headline suggests a personal lack of sportsmanship directed specifically at Ireland.
    The Journal, sharp in it’s early incarnation, has become increasingly sloppy with headlines and content over the last while and is no longer first port of call here for news or sport.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Grouse
    Favourite Alan Grouse
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:04 PM

    Another misleading headline

    He did not mention ireland at all.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane McDonnell
    Favourite Shane McDonnell
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 12:52 PM

    my granny would walk through that irish defence

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry
    Favourite Harry
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 6:11 PM

    She must be quick

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shanklys Legacy LFC
    Favourite Shanklys Legacy LFC
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:17 PM

    Your headline is f@#kin joke. Typical. This site is gone to hell!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Frapples
    Favourite Bob Frapples
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:30 PM

    Has thejournal got a new editor recently? The headlines lately are ridiculous.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Cummins
    Favourite Conor Cummins
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:39 PM

    I’m really starting to get annoyed with the sensational tabloid headlines

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicholas Ring
    Favourite Nicholas Ring
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:40 PM

    Headline completely out of context. Trying to justify it is even worse.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 2:43 PM

    Cheers for the comments and feedback. We have changed the headline to reflect Hooper’s drive to win three Tests in a row, for the first time, with the green & golds.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Byrne
    Favourite Sean Byrne
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 3:23 PM

    Cowboy

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Cal
    Favourite Shane Cal
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:44 PM

    This site is getting worse by the day. Sad effort of a headline in fairness. No need for it.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Spillano
    Favourite Sean Spillano
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:06 PM

    Lmao…He just telling the truth…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane McDonnell
    Favourite Shane McDonnell
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:07 PM

    It’s common sense what he’s saying

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Fitzsimons
    Favourite Andrew Fitzsimons
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 2:49 PM

    The score/the Sun

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sullivan
    Favourite Sullivan
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 2:36 PM

    The Score is quickly slipping into Tabloid territory, come on lads, clean it up!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane McDonnell
    Favourite Shane McDonnell
    Report
    Nov 18th 2013, 1:25 PM

    He’s right In a way! You could practice anything you like against that irish team?

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.