What nonsense! Man United’s Ferguson brushes off Mancini comments

Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Roberto Mancini’s suggestion that Manchester United have been given an easy ride in the league this season as “absolute nonsense”.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s Manchester derby, Mancini stated his belief that United have been dominant in the Premier League this season because other teams play against them “with fear”.

But Ferguson, whose side travel to Stoke on Sunday looking to once again open up a 15-point lead on Mancini’s Manchester City side, brushed off the Italian’s remarks.

“I think that’s absolute nonsense, I really do,” countered the boss. “There are a lot of games I’ve watched this season, teams like City, and I’ve said to myself ‘are they trying?’ – of course they’re trying.

“The English game is the most honest in the world, I think we all recognise that, and it has been for many, many years. And also you’ve got 3,000 fans following you away.

“There’s no way any team could come to Old Trafford and not do their best. That also applies itself to the Etihad, Stamford Bridge, the Emirates or Anfield. They all do their best because that’s the nature of the English game.

“So it’s absolute nonsense what he [Mancini] said. He was maybe looking for a bit of self-sympathy or something like that. But it’s nonsense.”