"We were talking about respect for referees at grass-roots level, and that's something I think is absolutely correct. The haranguing of referees is absolutely ridiculous - we know that. It's not right. We see it as an issue. Since the situation with Andy D'Urso [in January 2000], we've not done anything like that."
Alex Ferguson, March 22, 2008

“The Football Association have banned Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson from the touchline for two games and fined him £5,000. Ferguson admitted using abusive and/or insulting words towards referee Mark Clattenburg during the game against Bolton on Nov 24.”
Telegraph.co.uk report, December 14, 2007

"I think Chelsea are prepared to try anything, so let them get on with it. I've got a team that can answer all questions. I don't know why he is suggesting there is going to be anything untoward. Chelsea should know better than anyone about these situations."
Alex Ferguson, May 3, 2008, after Chelsea’s manager suggested West Ham would not put up a fight against United. West Ham, whose manager had earlier said he would like to see United beat Chelsea to the league title, lost 4-1 despite United having a man sent off.

"Fine. I have no problem with that but then you hear about Bolton players being out all week celebrating. Both teams are safe but one is all keyed up to play Manchester United while the other is out celebrating."
Alex Ferguson, May 10, 2008, questions the integrity of Bolton players ahead of their upcoming match with Chelsea. Bolton drew with Chelsea 1-1.

"It is totally out of the question. There is no way we would sell him [David Beckham] - or any of our best players."
Alex Ferguson, April 5, 2003. Manchester United agreed to sell David Beckham to Real Madrid on June 18, 2003.

“Their attitude is: 'To hell with them (Madrid)'. They would sit the player in the stands just to prove a point that they will not give in to these people. They have got balls, I can tell you. I have been delighted with them in that respect."
Alex Ferguson, last week, applauding the Glaser family for their threat to destroy Ronaldo’s career “just to prove a point” rather than sell him to Real Madrid.

So when’s he going, Sir Alex?

I don’t really despise any of United’s players these days. Roy ‘thug’ Keane has moved into management at Sunderland, for example, and Eric ‘thug’ Cantona has disappeared up his own arse - one of the few destinations less appealing than Sunderland.

The current players aren’t particularly irritating. Ronaldo may be a stepover queen but he is admittedly talented and not especially malicious.

The manager remains pompous and petulant but the fawning from the media and the favouritism from referees is no less sickening than that received by Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal.

No, the most annoying thing about United remains their fans and there is no better example of that than the one provided by Pete Boyle, of Red Issue, in a recent issue of the Observer. Griping about Blackburn, who had the temerity to give United a game, Boyle whined:

“I didn’t mind how Boro played us, they have a real go at everyone, but Rovers rolled over at Liverpool then played like that.”

How magnanimous of you not to “mind” how Boro played. As if “minding” another team’s performance has anything to do with it. Rovers, eh? They’ve got a nerve. Having a bad game against Liverpool and then playing well against United. It’s so unfair! They probably did it deliberately, just to annoy you.

This then is the crux of the United fans’ arrogance: it’s all about them. The Premier league’s other 16 clubs are, according to those of the United heartlands - Essex, Cornwall and the Home Counties - just there to make up numbers. They’re not supposed to try.

The implication that Blackburn are good enough to decide when to give a top team a tough game is particularly funny. How far into paranoia have United supporters sunk?

Memo to United fans: try taking a season out from the Disneyland experience you call being a fan and have a go at being a proper football supporter. You might learn a little humility.

*This post is republished from shanerichmond.net