SIR Alex Ferguson has backed Jose Mourinho's decision to make himself slightly less high profile this season.

The Chelsea boss seemed to be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons far too often last term.

However, he has now decided to court rather less publicity - and Ferguson, who met many of Mourinho's jibes head on, believes it is a wise move.

"It's probably a good thing, because he was getting himself into all sorts of difficulties," said Ferguson.

"I think he's realised that everything he tries is just for a reason and to suit himself.

"Maybe he has realised that everyone has cottoned on to that, and that it doesn't have the same impact. They're not stupid.

"He's obviously not relished the bad publicity. He has obviously learned his lesson a little bit. Everybody does.

"I do like him. He came over and brought a bit of colour. He did really well on the publicity side in his first year because he was brash, young and making all his comments - and he endeared himself to a lot of people."