Ferguson Shouldn't Complain About Playing Away After Champions League Games

Earlier this month, Sir Alex Ferguson issued about the Premiership fixtures. He claimed that his side have been handicapped this season. He was unhappy that Manchester United had to play away from home after their European games this term.

"I've got my doubts," said Ferguson. "I'm not saying what they do down there, but next year we'll be sending somebody to see how it happens, I can assure you. I just don't understand how you can get the fixtures like that."

Ferguson believes that his club has been put at a disadvantage with the schedule.

"I've been saying this for a few months, but our fixture programme didn't do us any favours and I think we have been handicapped by the Premier League," Ferguson added. "They tell me it's not planned—bloody hell!"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed Sir Alex Ferguson as his side played eight away Premiership games after 10 European and international games.

The fact is that the Red Devils played nine away games after the ten European games and international games. It's undoubtedly a slight disadvantage but why didn't he issue this so-called disadvantage earlier?

This is the fixture list of the European and Premiership games Manchester United played last two seasons.

Season 2006/07

UCL Matchday 1 (Sept. 13)—Manchester United played against Celtic

BPL (Sept. 17)—Manchester United played against Arsenal at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 2 (Sept. 26)—Manchester United played against Benfica

BPL (Oct. 1)—Manchester United played against Newcastle at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 3 (Oct. 17)—Manchester United played against Copenhagen

BPL (Oct. 22)—Manchester United played against Liverpool at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 4 (Nov. 1)—Manchester United played Copenhagen

BPL (Nov. 4)—Manchester United played Portsmouth at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 5 (Nov. 21)—Manchester United played Celtic

BPL (Nov. 26)—Manchester United played against Chelsea at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 6 (Dec. 6)—Manchester United played against Benfica

BPL (Dec. 9)—Manchester United played against Manchester City at Old Trafford

In conclusion, Manchester United played every Premiership games after the six Champions League group games at home.

Season 2007/08

UCL Matchday 1 (Sept. 19)—Manchester United played against Sporting Lisbon

BPL (Sept. 23)—Manchester United played against Chelsea at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 2 (Oct. 2)—Manchester United played against AS Roma

BPL (Oct. 6)—Manchester United played against Wigan at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 3 (Oct. 23)—Manchester United played against Dynamo Kiev

BPL (Oct. 27)—Manchester United played against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 4 (Nov. 7)—Manchester United played against Dynamo Kiev

BPL (Nov. 11)—Manchester United played against Blackburn at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 5 (Nov. 27)—Manchester United played against Sporting Lisbon

BPL (Dec. 3)—Manchester United played against Fulham at Old Trafford

UCL Matchday 6 (Dec. 12)—Manchester United played against AS Roma

BPL (Dec. 16)—Manchester United played against Liverpool at Anfield

In conclusion, Manchester United played five out of six Premiership games after European games at home.

Clearly, the Premiership fixtures last two seasons favoured Manchester United. Was that the reason how they managed to win back-to-back titles?

This situation happens all the time to all teams. A big club like Manchester United should learn to cope with hectic fixtures.