SIR ALEX FERGUSON sparked a war of words with
Roberto Mancini in the build-up to the Manchester derby with a jibe
about City’s penalty record.
City have been awarded 21 penalty kicks – 20 of
them at the Etihad Stadium – since the start of the 2010-11 season. And
in a clear attempt to influence tomorrow’s referee, Martin Atkinson,
Ferguson said: “If we were to get that number of penalty kicks there
would have been an inquiry in the House of Commons and protests.”
But
Ferguson’s argument was undermined when the records showed that United
have been awarded exactly the same number of penalties in Premier League
games in the same period of time – 13 coming at Old Trafford and eight
away.
That sparked a sarcastic response from City boss Mancini, who accused Ferguson of hypocrisy.
He
said: “I remember very well last season when Ashley Young was swimming
and they had four or five penalties in the last 10 games. He [Ferguson]
didn’t say anything then. It is fair to say that over the last 15 years
United have had some penalties that have been debatable – not a lot but
certainly two or three. He is probably saying it deliberately. He is
clever.”
City have the better record from penalties – converting 18 of their 21. United have scored only 14 of their spot kicks.
City
host United at lunchtime tomorrow and Mancini defended himself in the
face of criticism following his club’s exit from the Champions League.
He pointed to Ferguson’s struggle to make an impact domestically and in Europe in his early years at Old Trafford.
“Ferguson won his first title after seven years in the job and his first Champions League after 14 years,” said Mancini.
“I
won the Premier League after two years and have another 12 years to win
a Champions League. I am happy with the job I have done here.”
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