Ferguson impressed by quality of rivals

Sir Alex Ferguson has not been short on Christmas cheer when speaking of the quality of managers in the English Premier League.

Having been with United since 1986, Ferguson has seen plenty of managers come and go around him.

He was talking ahead of his side’s trip to Birmingham on Tuesday, with United then hosting West Brom on Thursday. Both rival managers came in for praise from the United boss.

“I just think that there (are) a lot of good young managers in the Premier League, a lot of good managers and they are galvanising their teams very well,” Ferguson said.

“They are very difficult to beat now and we’ve experienced that. Alex McLeish at Birmingham … Di Matteo at West Brom … the football they are playing this season and the goals they are scoring away from home, they are a highlight.”

“So you have to give credit to what’s happening in terms of the management structure of the league there are some good managers about.”