UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson backs new signing Bebe

Record ID: 783810

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson backs new signing Bebe
  • Date: 28th August 2010
  • Summary: MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING AT OLD TRAFFORD STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA99V0N7ZWVG07OG9SM02M5JLFM
  • Story Text: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson defended his rookie striker Bebe on Friday (August 27) following reports the Portuguese had failed to impress during his first few weeks at the club.
    Bebe did not play for United's reserve team on Tuesday, leading some to question the decision to sign him.
    Ferguson rubbished such suggestions in his pre-game media conference ahead of West Ham's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, insisting Bebe's fitness was a minor issue but not his ability.
    "I know he's had a couple of attacks, I thought they were pretty vicious attacks on why he wasn't playing the reserve game," Ferguson told reporters.
    "But he was never going to play in the reserve game on Tuesday. And I think those attacks came from a bit of vegeance, from two journalists who are banned from here. They had an opportunity to have a go at the club. I think it's disgusting.
    "The boy didn't deserve that. He's just a young boy trying to make his way in football, they didn't need to do that. I thought it was a real bitter attack.
    "Ability wise - excellent, terrific finisher, we were very impressed with that. It's just the fitness levels he has to get too as opposed to our fitness levels."
    Meanwhile Ferguson also expressed his excitement at the upcoming visit of Scottish giants Rangers to Manchester in this season's European Champions League.
    The last time Rangers were in the city, for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg, they left a trail of carnage behind them after violent scenes erupted between police and fans.
    Ferguson was sure there will be no repeat this time around.
    "I think there were circumstances that day. You know, I don't think it was well organised," he said.
    "They were inviting fans down without tickets and things like that. We won't be doing that. We'll be giving Rangers a proper allocation.
    "You know, like every club, Rangers have fantastic supporters, some bad elements but a lot of clubs have. That unforunate incident that day maybe could've been avoided. Too many travelled without tickets, as I said. It would happen here because I would think Rangers will control where the tickets are going and I wouldn't expect Rangers fans to travel without a ticket."
    Manchester United will also meet Turkish club Bursapor and Valencia in the group stages of the European competition, a draw that was welcomed by Ferguson.
    "We've drawn a Turkish team which is a big travel for us," he said.
    "The break we've got is the home game wedged in between Everton and Liverpool so that's a little break in that respect so we're pleased with that, it's a good draw.
    "Of course Rangers will have tremendous focus on that because of the association we've got with Rangers and the Scottish-English thing so it's quite exciting."
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