Fergie hits back at Mourinho

May 01, 2007

MILAN MISSION: Sir Alex Ferguson faces the media

SIR Alex Ferguson has launched a furious attack on Jose Mourinho following the Chelsea manager's latest outburst about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho branded Ronaldo a "liar" last week for questioning his claim that 'new rules' were in operation in the Premier League which prevented Chelsea from getting a penalty and United from conceding one.

Ferguson hit back with predictable force, although that only triggered another personal retort from Mourinho, who accused Ronaldo of being uneducated because he came from working-class family in Madeira.

The attack is clearly a step too far for Ferguson, a socialist to the core, who takes immense pride in his own roots forged the shipyards of Govan.

And the Scot has now rounded on Mourinho, who was brought up in the comfort of a middle-class family in Setubal.

"I don't know why he has done this," said Ferguson.

Principles

"Maybe he is trying to unsettle the boy. But it is really below the belt to bring class into it.

"Just because you come from a poor, working-class background does not mean to say you are not educated.

"What Ronaldo has are principles, that is why he has not responded to it.

"Other people are educated but have no principles."

Ferguson has declared his desire to draw a line under the row, although that seems highly unlikely given the number of times United must face Chelsea before the campaign reaches its conclusion.

The Red Devils are due at Stamford Bridge in eight days' time for the game which, providing the title has not already been tied up by then, could see Ferguson's men crowned champions.

The pair will then meet at Wembley on May 19 in the FA Cup final, when one of them will be thirsting to gain revenge for their failure to win the league.

In addition, it is already certain England's top two will collide in next season's Community Shield, while the possibility of a Champions League epic in Athens on May 23 could become a reality over the next 24 hours.

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Macca, Cornwall (01/05/2007 at 16:05)

Mouriniho...what a muppet.

i hope fergie doesnt get to drawn into this, it is clear Jose is just trying to cause trouble, and with the advantages we have there is no need to hit back. i am amazed that the FA hasnt even looked at mourinhos comments over the past few weeks.

Demo, Glossop (01/05/2007 at 16:21)

jose is a top class prize A muppet! He clearly has no class about him to start bringing things like that up.

he is doing nothing more than trying to unsettle ronnie as he knows how he will murder them in the next few weeks!

TMUF, Manchester (01/05/2007 at 16:29)

His comments were definetly bang out of order and it would be brilliant if Ronaldo could score the winning goals at Stamford Bridge and Wembley and who knows if we and they are lucky the CL too. Then we will see who comes out with the uneducated comments which Mourinho has shown time and time again.

Roy (01/05/2007 at 16:32)

I am generally a fan of Jose and his comments but this was the first time I was angry and disappointed with the man. What he said was: "It's a game where a kid had some statements not very...not showing maturity and respect, maybe difficult childhood, no education, maybe the consequence of that." It is the reference to his difficult childhood rather than education that most annoyed me. The Special One owes CR a humble apology. That will help but he has gone down in my estimation. It's also a dangerous ploy - CR can deliver the ultimate retort on May 9th.

shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (01/05/2007 at 16:41)

Jose 1, Fergie 0

Mick, Dublin (01/05/2007 at 16:50)

Mourinho's really embarassed himself the way he's handled this. There's no doubt that Ronaldo has handled himself in a far more dignified manner throughout.

Fergie's right, all the education in the world doesn't get you principles. Nor does it seem to have given Mourinho much common sense.

Surely he can realise that he's the one who's ending up looking like a fool? Taught a lesson in tact and diplomacy by a 22 year-old, brought up in a shack in Madeira.

redarmy, rochdale (01/05/2007 at 17:05)

fergie came from govan a hard as nails part of glasgow and working class ,so does maureen call him uneducated.
I lived in our house (bought)on a council estate that the bulit where our house was and some of the people on it have super jobs and are proud of their roots as i am.
Maureen i have a PHD degree do you???NO YOU DONT.
Before you came to chelsea was you heard of???were you a world class fottballer???NO.
Ronnie is laughing at you,and hes probably so much more educated than you maureen,as you mumble and can hardly even put a sentance together with out sounding thick&stupid.

Steve Chew, usa (01/05/2007 at 17:07)

Sir Alex, use everything in your means to press for JM to be discipline by FA. FA should show some spine and stop managers from spewing ugly, personal insults aimed at hurting other club's players? Shame on JM as well as on Chelsea.

Hilton (01/05/2007 at 17:08)

Wow! even for the outspoken "Special One" what is he going to say to that?

I think SAF has shut him up this time.

If this was a tactic to unsettle Ronaldo it clearly has not worked and for someone who claims to be educated that was not "classy"

Jrogger, Canterbury (01/05/2007 at 17:22)

Jose's doing a fine job of keeping attention off his team, and for a good reason. If Chelsea fail to beat 'Pool tonight and lose out on the league at the weekend, then their season will have virtually imploded, given what they spend and the expectations that brings. I also wonder if JM is trying to get United complacent about the league--drop points at City and if Chelsea beat Arsenal and United (quite a challenge) then it could be level pegging for the final game. Utd need to keep out of these stupid squabbles and focus on finishing the job.

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (01/05/2007 at 18:20)

Shanny: United 15 City 2

A Mancunian, Manchester (01/05/2007 at 18:41)

Shanny, make my day. Have the balls to predict a City win. Go on, I dare you!

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (01/05/2007 at 18:45)

You only have to look at moremoney's reactions during the Bolton game to see that he is doing a Keegan. In other words we are in the middle of a serious meltdown and on top of it he has Shevchenko staying home claiming a fractured eyelash. If the 'Pool come through tonight, the meltdown will be complete. Shanny, do you need any of this explained?

ThePeaceMaker (01/05/2007 at 19:42)

Mourning(ho)is an abolute disgrace to the game of football and does not deserve an ounce of my respect. Football may not be all about being well educated, mental strength and principles count. There are thousands of people out there who are well educated than him mourning(ho) but none has come out to slag him as uneducated regarding his utter rubbish he spills week in week out. Mourningho is the one who needs education. He thinks he is wise and smart. What a shame! Down Mourning(ho)! I say down with your tripe

cheeseyrimmer1, tameside (01/05/2007 at 20:06)

well the bitters have suspended there best player. sorry i mean worse.so were going to carve up the bitters
at wastelands.look out for this shanny character on the day.crying like a baby.dummy for shanny anyone.

chalky76, London (01/05/2007 at 21:27)

He really is a horrible/nasty piece of work & his team is a carbon copy.I hope Manchester United win the treble as not only would it be a truimph for Manchester Utd but for football in general.Being a Tottenham Hotspur fan i can appreciate the football Sir Alex practices.

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (02/05/2007 at 00:55)

I think we have meltdown. Anybody seen Shanny.

Jatin Naidu, Melbourne, Australia (02/05/2007 at 05:34)

All I can say to Jose today is.....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! what a waste of money!! They will end up winning nothing this year!

Duncan, London (02/05/2007 at 10:08)

Superb response by SAF. He has it spot on. Those comments about Ronaldo were totally out of order but Mourinho has put himself right into Fergie territory and has probably alienated himself from a few people in his own country as well. Should suit Real Madrid now though.

Duncan, London (02/05/2007 at 10:10)

I disagree Macca he had to come back on that comment. And Jose has really scored an own goal on this one - he will definitely be feeling the pressure. I feel a "I would love it" moment coming...

Duncan, London (02/05/2007 at 10:14)

Jatin they already won the Carling cup mate, but lets hope it stops there.

JamesP, Manchester (02/05/2007 at 10:15)

I have to agree with Shanny. JM 1, SAF 0. City 1 United 0 for the weekend. I feel 'six times' is going to be heard quite a bit before summer especially when Liverpool win the champions league!!

Duncan, London (02/05/2007 at 10:42)

JamesP only if we put 6 past you mate:)

Mick, Dublin (02/05/2007 at 11:41)

Or was "6 times" the amount of digs that Barton landed on his team-mate yesterday?

Sucks when a club bans their own best player, 3 days before a derby, doesn't it?

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (02/05/2007 at 12:17)

6 times ?? The amount of relegations suffered by City since 1990 ?? Or the amount of times a ST holder at the Coms has bothered to turn up this season. Either way like JM your all losers. MCFC a disgrace to Manchester.

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