Ferguson hits back at Wenger’s ‘Scholes’ darker side’ jibe
By ANISaturday, August 28, 2010
LONDON - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saying that he should look closer to home before criticizing the ‘dark side’ of Paul Scholes.
Ferguson said that Wenger should have been appreciating Scholes’ ‘phenomenal’ contribution to football rather than picking holes in his tackling.
“I don’t know why Arsene said that. You’re talking about someone with the ability and performance levels of Paul Scholes. You know he is not the best tackler, but he has not injured anyone in his time here,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.
“It’s easy to look into the dark side of any player. I could say the same of one Arsenal player in particular, but I don’t need to do that.”
“He should focus on the strengths and abilities of someone and the contribution he’s made to English football over an 18-year period. It’s phenomenal,” he added.
Wenger had earlier launched an astonishing attack on Scholes, suggesting that he had long considered him to be a dirty player.
“Who wouldn’t want a quality player like Paul Scholes in his team? But ask me if he’s been a fair player, I say no. I’m sorry, for me he’s not been fair,” Wenger had said.
“There’s a little bit of a darker side in him. I don’t like some things he does. It’s not because you are older suddenly that you are a saint,” he added.
When asked if there was any specific tackle he had in mind, such as Scholes’ reckless challenge on former Arsenal winger Jose Reyes in the 2004 FA Cup semi-final, Wenger said: “With Paul Scholes you have more than one. I can remember a few. Unfair? Of course.”
It was not the first time that Wenger had singled out a United player, as last season he had targeted midfielder Darren Fletcher.
The verbal bust-up is poised to add spice to the confrontation when Arsenal visit Old Trafford on December 11. (ANI)
