SOCCER WORLD

Sir Alex Ferguson slams Vieira's 'desperation' comments over bringing back Scholes

The Manchester United manager is not impressed with City's mind games, and says he has 'plenty of ammunition' after they recalled controversial striker Carlos Tevez.

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Patrick Vieira’s claims that Manchester United were desperate when bringing back Paul Scholes, claiming that Manchester City did the same thing in playing Carlos Tevez on Wednesday.

Vieira, now football development executive at City, said that Scholes’ return showed there is weakness in the United squad as they had to turn to a 37-year-old player.

Ferguson was quick to dismiss Vieira’s comments in a press conference at Old Trafford on Friday morning, and says he has “plenty of ammunition” if their rivals are going to start playing mind games.

"If it’s desperation bringing back Paul Scholes, the best midfielder in Britain for the last 20 years, then I think we can accept that,” he told reporters.

“Roberto Mancini had a little dig at us a couple of weeks back. We’re all going to play our hand. I have plenty of ammunition that way.

“Desperation? On Wednesday they played a player who refused to go on the pitch and the manager had said he would never play for them again. What is that?”

Scholes has played a key part in United’s return to the summit of the Premier League, with the Red Devils only dropping two points in the 10 games in which he’s featured, and Ferguson went on to praise his veteran midfielder.

Ferguson said: "He can dictate the tempo of games very well. He has the experience. He has a terrific football brain."

Contrary to press reports, Ferguson confirmed he has not yet spoken to Scholes about staying on for another season at Old Trafford.

“The reason he wanted to retire was because he wanted to play 50 games, not 25 games. It was because he wanted to play more,” he said.

“I have not spoken to him about next season.” 

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