Mark Hughes hit back at Alex Ferguson yesterday as he mounted a stout defence of his Blackburn side after the Manchester United manager described them as "dirty". And Hughes, surprised and "hurt", is now seeking an explanation direct from his former mentor.
Ferguson's stinging criticism of the side managed by one of his favourite former players was condemned as "harsh" and "unfair" by Hughes in the wake of Blackburn's 4-3 win over United at Ewood Park on Wednesday night, when Rio Ferdinand was sent off for the first time in his career.
"When somebody as high profile as Alex Ferguson makes comments like he did about my team, then it hurts," said Hughes. "He actually came into my room for a few minutes after the game and never said anything to me about my team.
"I hadn't heard his comments at that stage, but if I had I would have asked him about them. I'm not happy about it, though, and I will be getting in touch with him to discuss the matter."
And Robbie Savage could not resist a dig at Ferdinand in late retaliation for the high and late lunge that saw the England international receive his second yellow card and the Welsh international carried off with a cut shin.
"I think I enjoyed the last laugh against Rio," said Savage, who hopes to be fit for tomorrow's game at West Bromwich while Ferdinand is suspended.
Savage, who clashed with Ferdinand at half-time in last week's League Cup game at Old Trafford, was also unimpressed with the England defender's attempt to play in a new position.
"Rio's not a central midfielder," said the one-time United apprentice. "I think I showed him that it's not too easy playing in central midfield. He got rave reviews after playing there against Wolves but I think I got the better of him."
Hughes was infuriated by Ferguson's claims that Blackburn "foul all the time", deployed "indefensible" spoiling tactics and "do not play football".
"I couldn't understand where Alex was coming from," said the former Wales coach, whose side are now only four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham after winning five of their past six Premiership games.
"It annoys me that having spent the past 12 months getting rid of our dirty label, Alex's harsh, and, to my mind, unfair, comments have put that idea back into people's minds.
"It took a bit of the joy and emotion out of the game for me. I thought some things he said were a bit harsh - he highlighted a number of my players which he didn't need to. I'm disappointed with him."
Ferguson, in turn, had been angered at Ferdinand's dismissal for two bookings inside a minute. United's manager accused the referee Phil Dowd of turning a blind eye to Andy Todd's perceived transgressions. "Todd got away with 10 fouls in the first half," he said.
Guardian Service
