Go England Go!
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to is backing England's World Cup 2018 bid
Backing the bid: Sir Alex Ferguson says England should host the World Cup in 2018
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged his support for the England 2018 World Cup bid on the eve of the FIFA inspectors visit to Old Trafford today.
Fergie, backing the campaign despite being a proud Scotsman who is often at odds with the English FA, will join his fellow football knight Sir Bobby Charlton and United chief executive David Gill in showing the FIFA team around the stadium.
Ferguson said: ‘The facilities for players and fans are magnificent, from training grounds to stadiums, and the passion of the English people for the game would ensure that everybody would be made to feel welcome.
'It would be a memorable occasion and would inspire people all over the world.’
Before his 2018 endorsement the United boss had already helped the England bid by having lunch with FIFA powerbroker Jack Warner at Old Trafford and recording personal video messages to FIFA ExCo members being courted by England during their global lobbying trips.
A United spokesman said: ‘As a passionate Scotsman, Sir Alex won’t suddenly become a supporter of the England team, but why wouldn’t he want to see the World Cup being played in his own stadium?’
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It is ironic that United’s top administrator Gill, an England 2018 adviser, can help persuade Scot Fergie to support the England cause but not end his six-year snubbing of another national institution, the BBC, which puts United in breach of new Premier League rules regarding managers talking to TV rights holders.
Meanwhile, Samantha Cameron giving birth yesterday fully explained why her PM husband excused himself from welcoming FIFA inspectors in Downing Street the day before.
Inspection team leader Harold Mayne-Nicholls told guests at a Millbank dinner on Monday night that Cameron’s absence would make no difference to his report.