We should be setting pace rather than playing catch up

Nov 2 2006 Red Watch by Andy Proudfoot, Daily Post

Managers shunning BBC are keeping fans in dark

MATCH of the Day viewers on Saturday expecting to hear the views of the respective managers on United's demolition of Bolton will have been disappointed to be presented with substitutes who, though eloquent, were not the men they wanted to see.

Now personally, I had no real wish to hear Ferguson wax lyrical about the Boy Rooney, or Big Sam for that matter lament the 23 penalties Bolton were refused and how the officials' psychological problems conspired to cost him three points.

But surely the fans of these two clubs plus the millions of interested viewers are entitled to hear the wisdom of these two on the nation's most popular football programme?

Both have of course withdrawn their co-operation with the BBC following unfavourable coverage, in particular over the alleged involvement of their sons in transfer dealings.

Curiously neither have been reticent in the past to use the BBC to play mind games with the opposition, or to promote themselves when being considered, for example, for the England job.

It's about time the Premiership adopted the Uefa line about compulsory attendance at press conferences and media interviews so that supporters can hear their views first hand, however churlish they might be.

* I had intended this column to be rotation-free this week, but an interesting statistic appeared about the then-99 consecutive games that Rafa has tinkered with the side.

During that time, Manchester United have won only three more games than us, and picked up three less trophies. 'Nuff said?