The Telegraph 3rd Jan 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Manchester United are to send an observer to monitor the compilation of next season’s Premier League fixture list after suggesting that the champions have been disadvantaged and “handicapped” by this season’s programme.The United manager, who expressed doubts last season over the scheduling of the potentially volatile local derby against Manchester City four days after the 50th anniversary of the
Munich air disaster, has regularly complained about his team’s demanding fixture list this season.United have been forced to play away from home in the league after each Champions League away fixture this term and the club’s opening half of the campaign has seen them travel to play each of last season’s top nine away from Old Trafford.
Ferguson said: “I’ve been saying this for a few months, but our 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. 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 Guardian 16th June 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson has no right to complain, as he did last year, that Manchester United have been specifically “handicapped” by the way the fixtures – announced today – fall. Because alongside a representative from Fulham, the FA and supporters’ groups in the Fixtures Working Party is none other than Ken Ramsden, the club secretary of … Manchester United.
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