Celebration, Sir!

ALEX FERGUSON was up to his old tricks again on Friday. The Manchester United boss, famed for his mind games, accused Bolton’s players of undermining the integrity of the Premier League.

Fergie claimed the Trotters spent ‘all week’ celebrating their probable survival rather than preparing for a visit to Chelsea. Bolton manager Gary Megson insists his team will give everything. If Bolton lose, United must beat Wigan to be champions.

Fergie said: “People are talking about Wigan’s integrity but no one has even mentioned Bolton. All we have seen is Wigan players saying how they will beat us. Fine, I’ve no problem with that.

“Then you hear about Bolton players out all week celebrating. Both teams are safe but one is all keyed up to play Manchester United and the other one is out celebrating.

“The only thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager, Gary Megson, and the assistant manager, Archie Knox. I have known Archie for many years at United and Aberdeen.

“I wish he were playing on Sunday because he will not enjoy hearing about his players going out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson when there is such an important game in the offing.”

Bolton’s players were in Manchester’s city centre bar The Living Room on Monday.But Trotters boss Megson insisted: “The players were not celebrating. They went out together, which they have done in the past on Monday.

“It wasn’t in terms of a celebration or doing anything as we are not mathematically safe yet.

“Since that point they have been preparing properly and I can assure Sir Alex and everybody else we will be going into the Chelsea game as prepared as we possibly can be. “We’ll be giving it everything we possibly can on the day — I can assure Sir Alex of that. “I spoke to Sir Alex earlier in the week. I speak to him a lot. Sir Alex could never disappoint me as he is a good friend and we get on very well.”

This is not the first time Ferguson has used mind games in a title run-in. His latest comments echo those he made in 1996 — which prompted Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan to blow up in a live TV interview and declare “I’d love it if we beat them! Love it!”

Chelsea boss Avram Grant last night joked Fergie has learned mind games from the Israeli secret service. He said: “Alex is friends with Mossad but nobody believes me.” Share this article What is this? (source: the sun)