Steve McClaren Not At Fault Says Fergie !!!

By Mark Ogden - Times Online


Sir Alex Ferguson has defended the beleaguered Steve McClaren by claiming it is
in the nature of the role of England manager that "you are going to get crucified
no matter what happens".

McClaren's long-term prospects in charge of the national team appear bleak
following the 2-1 defeat against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday, with England's
qualification hopes for Euro 2008 now resting in the hands of others.

Disgruntled supporters have deluged radio phone-ins to criticise McClaren's
tactics and many have called for a new man to replace the former Middlesbrough
manager.

However, Manchester United manager Ferguson believes that McClaren, his
former Old Trafford assistant, is being subjected to unfair scrutiny following the
defeat in Moscow.

Ferguson said: "I haven't spoken to Steve yet, but there is no point in me making
any sort of clarion call in order to get behind him. I've done that many times in
the past, but I'm just beginning to understand that it's the nature of the
business when you manage England. You are going to get crucified no matter
what happens.

"I was watching the game on Wednesday and I said at half-time that there was
no way that England were going to lose the game. I felt that they were through.
But football can come back and bite you in a nasty way and the result was a real
surprise to me because England's first-half performance was excellent.

"It's a horrible game when it comes out that way, though."

Ferguson's side travel to Aston Villa today and the manager backed Wayne
Rooney to overcome quickly his involvement in Russia's fightback, after the
striker's clumsy challenge on Konstaninov Zyryanov led to the penalty from which
the hosts equalised.

Ferguson said: "I thought that Wayne was England's best player in Moscow, he
played really well. His eagerness to help the team caused the penalty, but I don't
think it was a penalty. He didn't haul the player down. The Russian boy took
advantage and even though it was probably a foul, it was outside the box.

"We had players away with England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland and
they all had disappointing results in midweek. But they are grown men and they
can get over it."