Football: Ferguson takes BBC team to task

ALEX FERGUSON, the Manchester United manager, yesterday launched a surprising attack on Jimmy Hill and the BBC television commentary team after his side put Norwich City out of the FA Cup.

Ferguson reacted angrily when told Hill had been critical of Eric Cantona, who aimed a boot towards the head of Jeremy Goss in the first half and kicked John Polston on the head 17 minutes from time. Hill described Cantona's actions as 'despicable' and Ferguson said: 'Jimmy Hill is verbal whenever it suits him. If there is a prat going about in this world, he is the prat. I'm not interested in Jimmy Hill, neither are my players. He writes us off in the warm-up - that's how much he knows about the game.

'The BBC are dying for us to lose. Everyone is from Liverpool with a supporter's badge. They will be at our games every week until we lose, that mob, Bob, Barry, Hansen - the lot of them.

'Eric probably reacted to a bit of off-the-ball intimidation. He knows he doesn't need to get involved in things like that. You can't take the law into your own hands, but at least some of his passing was incredible.'