Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Fabio Capello’s decision to leave David Beckham out of the England squad to face Switzerland next week.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder’s former manager said it was a “straightforward” decision based on Beckham’s fitness.
“I am not surprised he has been left out. What Fabio has said is that David is not match fit,” Ferguson said. “He wants players who are match fit and David has not played any football. That is the reason he has not been picked. It is straightforward.”
Ferguson added: “You have to think of Fabio’s position. He has to win that game. It is an important match as it is his first as manager of England and he is a foreign coach with a great reputation.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson believes that Manchester United may have to go through the rest of the season unbeaten if they are to retain their Premier League title.
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The Scot’s side certainly have the momentum having won nine of their last 10 league games, but they remain clear of Arsenal only on goal difference while Chelsea lie just four points adrift.
“I have to look at where the dangers are and say to myself will they go through the season undefeated as Chelsea and Arsenal have done in the past,” he said.
“I am taking nothing for granted. We may have to. It is getting very tight now.”
Mischievously, however, Ferguson claims he could do with a helping hand in his bid to keep Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Chelsea’s Avram Grant at a safe distance. That’s why the Old Trafford boss has one eye on the African Nations Cup in Ghana.
He admits he would love to see a final between the host nation and the Ivory Coast, so that key players from their title rivals are prevented from making a quick return. Arsenal pair Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are away with the Ivory Coast as are Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.
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Grant is also missing Michael Essien as he is helping Ghana’s cause. Ferguson said: “It is my wish the Ivory Coast and Ghana make the final and keep the players occupied.
“Avram Grant and Arsene Wenger know fine well what I am hoping for. You have to be selfish in a case like this. Can you get a replay in the final of the African Nations Cup? That would be good!”
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to improve on his impressive 27-goal tally with punters still talking about his free-kick in midweek.
Ferguson said: “The balls do move a bit but his striking of the ball is superb. The art of free-kicks today is to get it over the wall. The nearer you are, the harder it is to do that. “We have always had one particular free-kick taker, players like Denis Irwin, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
“They all enjoy it and you know you can win games from those free-kicks.”