FERGIE SPEAKS AT LAST

It would be nice if Sir Alex Ferguson could stand up and back the supporters over the Glazer takeover.

Many United fans are acutely aware that the club's current plight can be traced back to his friendship with John Magnier and JP McManus. That friendship soured when Ferguson got greedy and tried to claim a share of the stud rights to their super-horse, Rock Of Gibraltar.

Magnier and McManus increased their stake as the relationship grew more bitter, up to the point where they were the club's largest shareholders. So when Glazer came calling, the two Irishmen were only too happy to sell.

Meanwhile Fergie has come out in public ahead of the final:

"The supporters and players should be together in their attempts to win this match on Saturday. Our focus has to be 100% on the final. Nothing else matters and I am sure they will not let us down.

"This is not the time to be answering questions about Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the club. Ever since I became manager of Manchester United, my main concern has always been the team.

"Our focus has to be 100% on the final this week, otherwise we will not be doing our jobs properly. For us, everything is geared to Saturday, all the rest is peripheral."

The Sun reports:

Manchester United fans have been warned by police: You will not wreck the FA Cup final. Rebel supporters are planning sit-ins and walk-outs in protest at Malcolm Glazer’s Old Trafford takeover.

But extra police have been called in to keep the peace at Saturday’s clash with Arsenal in Cardiff.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “We have a long experience of allowing people to express their views in a lawful manner. The FA Cup final will be no exception.

“But the way to do that is for them to let us know what they are planning. We’re considering all aspects of policing. We are confident the final will be a success.”