The Times:
‘In the words of José Mourinho, Chelsea might “deserve some respect” for their achievements on the pitch, but off it they continue to attract hostility from their fiercest rivals, with Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday voicing his anger over the “disgusting” tactics he feels are being used to steer one of world football’s most exciting prospects away from Manchester United and towards Stamford Bridge.
‘The bitter fight to sign John Obi Mikel, the outstanding Nigerian teenager, has brought relations between the clubs to a nadir. Ferguson announced the signing of the 19-year-old from Lyn Oslo in April, only for the player to claim days later that he had been “bullied” into the deal and wanted to sign for Chelsea.
‘In an interview with a Norwegian newspaper, Ferguson went farther by claiming that Mikel “has an agent who apparently works for Chelsea”.
‘Although some at Old Trafford are resigned to losing Mikel to Chelsea, Ferguson maintains that it is outside forces that are trying to dissuade the youngster from moving to Manchester. “I don’t believe it’s true that Mikel doesn’t want to join United,” Ferguson told Dagbladet. “I believe the lad has been forced to say it. His family is put under pressure and the circumstances are very sad. The manner I believe he and his family have been treated and pressured is disgusting.”