Ferguson hits back at Wenger

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back over Arsene Wenger's taunt about the "dark side" of Paul Scholes.
At a time when the football world has been eulogising over the abilities of a 35-year-old who turned his back on England after Euro 2004, Wenger, while adding to the praise for Scholes, also claimed last week there was a more sinister edge to the midfielder's abilities that often saw him tread a very fine line between fair and foul.
Even Ferguson accepts criticism of Scholes' tackling has sometimes been valid.
However, the Manchester United manager fails to understand why Wenger should add such comments to an appreciation of Scholes' talents.
"I don't know why Arsene Wenger said that," said Ferguson.
"When you are asked your opinion about someone with the ability and performance level of Paul Scholes I don't see why you should say that.
"It is very easy to look at the dark side of any player. I could say it about one of the Arsenal players in particular and everybody knows that but there is no need.
"Paul is not the best tackler but he has not injured anyone in his time here.
"You should focus on the strengths and abilities he shows and also the contribution he has made to English football over 18 years. It is phenomenal."
Yet, according to Ferguson, it is a talent that has been lost to England.
Following his revelation last week that he regrets snubbing a request from Fabio Capello to return for the World Cup, there has been more speculation this week that Scholes could yet return for the Euro 2012 double-header with Bulgaria and Switzerland.
West Ham manager Avram Grant is among those calling for Capello to pick Scholes, claiming if the player was 27 and performing to his present standards, the decision would be automatic.
Ferguson insists it will not happen.
"I don't think it will happen. Definitely not," said the United chief.
Indeed, it could be argued one of the reasons Scholes is still able to operate at the highest level is due to the breaks he gets during international weeks.
"He had the eye and knee injuries a few years back and he missed half seasons, but he is fit now and is training every day," said Ferguson.
"That makes a difference when you get into your 30s because your fitness levels are kept at the same level all the time."
Scholes, who scored his 150th United goal against Fulham last weekend, can hardly be expected to maintain the present levels throughout an entire season.
Indeed, had Ferguson been asked a decade ago whether Scholes would still be lording it over the Premier League right now, the answer would probably have been no.
But Scholes is benefiting from a career when he has stuck to doing the right things, meaning his body can still cope with the stresses and strains of a club like Manchester United.
"His lifestyle was absolutely perfect as far as a manager is concerned," said Ferguson.
"If you look after yourself, it is possible to have a long career in the game.
"Ten or 15 years ago I would never have believed he could still be playing considering he plays in the most intense area of the pitch.
"The intensity of our games is different. I am not overstating it to say that every game Manchester United play is a cup final."
Intensity is something Bebe is getting used to following his shock £7million arrival from Vitoria Guimaraes.
After missing a reserve-team outing in midweek, it has been suggested the 20-year-old was not impressing during his early days at Old Trafford, an appraisal that brought a damning response from Ferguson, whose view was endorsed by the news Bebe has been called into the Portugal Under-21 squad for the first time.
"I know he has had a couple of vicious attacks on him for why he wasn't playing in the reserve game but he was never going to be playing on Tuesday," said Ferguson.
"The boy did not deserve that.
"He is a young man trying to make his way in football. They didn't need to do that. It was a really bitter attack. Ability-wise he is excellent. He is a terrific finisher.
"We have been very impressed with that. It is just the fitness levels he needs to get to."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also confirmed Rio Ferdinand could be in line for a return to action straight after the international break.
Last week, the United boss said it would be the end of September before the 31-year-old could be considered for action again as he made a slow recovery from the freak knee injury he suffered in a collision with Emile Heskey on the first day of World Cup training in South Africa.
However, the words seem to have spurred Ferdinand on and an outing of some description, possibly against Oldham in the Manchester Senior Cup next Wednesday, is now being considered.
"When he read what I said maybe it gave him a kick," said Ferguson.
"But he has come in and trained this week and done fantastic.
"He won't be involved tomorrow of course but we have to try and think when we can get a game with him in the next two weeks, he is that close."