
Fix claim: Sir Alex Ferguson believes there is a fixtures conspiracy against United
As Manchester United embark on their bid to land the FA Cup, Sir Alex Ferguson made the bizarre claim that the Barclays Premier League fixture programme is fixed.
The United manager has already taken his team to Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City and Portsmouth in a first half of the season that saw the champions with one of the toughest away schedules in recent times.
They now face four League games in 16 days this month as their Premier demands threaten to derail their bid to win four more trophies this season. But Ferguson's suggestion that the schedule may not be drawn randomly will raise eyebrows across the country.
The United manager said: 'I've been saying this for a few months, but our fixture programme didn't do us any favours and I think we have been handicapped by the Premier League in the fixture list. They tell me it's not planned. Bloody hell!'
Asked why the Premier League would wish to make it tough on United, Ferguson added: 'I've got my doubts. 'I'm not saying what they do down there, but next year we will be sending somebody to see how it happens, I can assure you. 'I just don't understand how you can get the fixtures like that.'
The Premier League were quick to respond to Ferguson's outburst, with a spokesman stressing the neutrality of the procedure. 'The Premier League fixtures are put together through as random a process as possible,' he said.
'The initial list is created by specialist software before going to the fixtures working party, which is made up of representatives from the Premier League, Football League, FA, clubs and supporters.
'The police also approve it before it is sent to the clubs, at which point they can raise any objections they may have. 'There are various factors that go into the structuring of the fixture list - police requests, club requests, as well as involvement in European or FIFA competitions, for example - but the overriding factor is the luck of the draw.'
It has also emerged that United did not object to the fixtures when they came out last June, but club official Ken Ramsden will be on the fixtures working party from this summer onwards.
Not that there is anything sinister in that. There are four representatives from clubs on the panel, who are involved in the process for two or three years before new members are voted in.
United have a break from League duty this weekend as they travel to Southampton on Sunday for their FA Cup third-round tie. The fact that Ferguson will rest several leading players ahead of next weekend's League game against Chelsea at Old Trafford says everything about his priorities.
He said: 'The season really does start now. We are into the second half and we are on the home straight. Big games are coming up - with all the top teams coming here - and these can decide championships and they can be really exciting affairs.
'We've got a big month in January. The key is going to be how I navigate that month with the 23 players I have. All those players are going to have to play their part, particularly against Southampton and in the two legs against Derby in the Carling Cup semi-final.
'There's a big game against Chelsea coming up next Sunday, which I've got one eye on, so it's a busy spell and we have to give careful consideration to the teams we pick. 'We're competing for all four tournaments that we are in.'
Honestly, he's starting to sound like a broken record going on and on about the fixture list.
year in year out he is complaining about the same thing.
retire lar!!
omg, how fergie? you wanna call the cops in?
no la, last time is he and mourinho like to complain about wenger getting home times after a ucl fixture..![]()
I think what SAF is asking is for some favours from the FA to help the English teams in the European competitions.
no lor. Its a fix to help united as united always has an easier fixture for the second half of the season every year. After feb, their premier league fixtures will be easy once again.
how SAF is able to twist around and say they are disadvantaged is amazing.
Come on la. Manutd get to face chelsea , liverpool, arsenal, man city, everton, spurs, portsmouth AWAY in the first half of the season where their fixture is also not so packed and they enjoy two games in hand. (they participating in other tournament should not have resulted in them having games in hand.)
It was all a plot to make sure manutd finish strongly in the second half of the season when they get to take on all these strong teams at HOME in the second half of the season.
how SAF is able to twist around and say they are disadvantaged is amazing.
You chelsea, liverpool and arsenals fans are fooled. All of you can only hope that your team preseveres and win the title for you will need a tremendous lead in the first half of season to take on manutd's second half.
Lol chelsea already lost to manutd if manutd wins the two games in hand. gg.
when they are not at the top. he will always use this excuse.
Originally posted by FirePig:Come on la. Manutd get to face chelsea , liverpool, arsenal, man city, everton, spurs, portsmouth AWAY in the first half of the season where their fixture is also not so packed and they enjoy two games in hand. (they participating in other tournament should not have resulted in them having games in hand.)
It was all a plot to make sure manutd finish strongly in the second half of the season when they get to take on all these strong teams at HOME in the second half of the season.
how SAF is able to twist around and say they are disadvantaged is amazing.
You chelsea, liverpool and arsenals fans are fooled. All of you can only hope that your team preseveres and win the title for you will need a tremendous lead in the first half of season to take on manutd's second half.
Lol chelsea already lost to manutd if manutd wins the two games in hand. gg.
enjoy two games in hand? well, you can win the UCL and then you can said that..
typical SAF...
Originally posted by FirePig:no lor. Its a fix to help united as united always has an easier fixture for the second half of the season every year. After feb, their premier league fixtures will be easy once again.
Every year... ![]()