BBC pundit Alan Hansen should be more responsible warns Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson wants 'positive witty and loud' support from United fans at Liverpool (EPA)

Sir Alex Ferguson has continued his war of words with Alan Hansen.

The Manchester United manager launched his first attack in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday night's victory over Stoke.

Ferguson took offence at the former Liverpool defender's jibe that United had not played well for 18 months.

Hansen responded on Match of the Day by arguing that he had never made such comments and that United would be the team to beat in this season's title race, even though they were not as good as previous championship-winning teams.

But United remain unimpressed.

It is believed club officials have contacted the BBC to point out Hansen's offending words, including the phrase: "By their own standards, United have been woeful for the past 18 months. I can't recall Sir Alex Ferguson's team being so bad for two successive seasons."

And Ferguson himself followed up this morning.

"He tried to change it [what he said] by saying it was about our away form," said the United boss.

"I have read the transcript of what he said and he said we were woeful for the last year and a half. He didn't mention away games.

"He's dug himself a grave really."

Ferguson is convinced Hansen made his comments in a direct attempt to rile United ahead of last week's FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.

And he is adamant the facts do not bear out Hansen's words.

"He's got a responsible position in the role he has in football," said Ferguson.

"It's obvious to me that he said what he said in the week before we played Liverpool and I can understand that - he's a former Liverpool player and Kenny (Dalglish) is his pal.

"That's no problem with me.

"He's maybe tried to shake things up a bit but he should be more responsible really.

"When you think about it we won the league by nine points last season, made it to a European final and were in the FA Cup semi-final - we couldn't have been that woeful."

PA