ALEX FERGUSON is to make a personal plea to Manchester United’s supporters to put an end to the sick chants that are aimed at Arsene Wenger whenever Arsenal visit Old Trafford.
United are so embarrassed by the nature of the songs Ferguson has decided to take the matter into his own hands to back the man he used to regard as a sworn enemy. The two managers share a cordial relationship these days and Ferguson believes the abuse the Frenchman has suffered at Old Trafford over the years goes beyond any legitimate form of terrace humour.
Ferguson will write about the subject in his programme notes for Arsenal’s visit on Monday night, imploring fans not to let the club down and pointing out that they should be backing their own team rather than abusing the opposition manager. He will also appeal for an end to the offensive chants during television and radio interviews before the game between the Premier League’s top two teams.
The hope at Old Trafford is that Ferguson’s voice is powerful enough to help prevent a repeat of previous matches when Wenger has been subjected to songs such as “sit down you paedophile”.
Wenger has suffered the same abuse at other grounds but there is a sense it is even worse at Old Trafford than when Arsenal play at White Hart Lane, the home of their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Ferguson is collaborating with the club’s publicity department about the best way of getting the message heard while, behind the scenes, other plans are being put in place in case the songs persist. Stewards will be instructed to take strong action with any supporters seen singing offensive chants. The club hope that ejecting fans and confiscating season tickets will spread the message that it will no longer be tolerated.
United are hopeful that Rio Ferdinand will be fit for the game. The defender was forced off five minutes into the second half of last night’s Champions League draw with Valencia after experiencing discomfort in his hamstrings but the Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, has said that he will not take any risks with his fitness if he is not completely ready for the game on Monday.
Guardian Service
