Outspoken former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has labelled Sir Alex Ferguson the ‘Grim Reaper’ as the Scot again watched Manchester United lose from the stands.
A Capital One Cup semi-final first leg 2-1 defeat to Sunderland was United’s third in a row in three different competitions, as the pressure continues to build on manager David Moyes.
Barton took to Twitter to express his views on Ferguson’s attendance at the games, which he feels is adding to the scrutiny surrounding Moyes.
Barton tweeted: “Fergie is there again. Lurking in the shadows like the GrimReaper. I’ve got a feeling DM gets bullet and he emerges to save the day.
“What was the point of him retiring. He’s at every game. Go on holiday. Play golf. Spend time with your family. Or friends. Busy c*nt.”
Moyes however insisted that the presence of the former boss, who retired last summer after 26 years in charge of the club, along with club legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson, was not adding to the pressure.
When asked if Ferguson was a hindrance, Moyes told Sky Sports: “Not at all.
“Alex is a great sounding board for me.
“He is there to help, so is Sir Bobby. He is terrific.”
Defeat to Sunderland marked the end of a turbulent week for United, having lost in the league to Tottenham, the FA Cup to Swansea and the Capital One Cup to Sunderland.
A Ryan Giggs own goal just before half-time gave Sunderland the lead on the night before Nemanja Vidic headed an equaliser from a corner after the break.
United continued to struggle and when Tom Cleverley clumsily brought down Adam Johnson in the area, Fabio Borini secured the first leg win for Sunderland.
Moyes was unimpressed with referee Andre Marriner on the night.
“It looks as if we’re having to play them as well as the opposition at the moment,” Moyes said.
“It’s really terrible, it really is, we’re actually beginning to laugh at them.”
United will get the chance to turn around the tie and reach the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley when the second leg is played at Old Trafford on January 22.
Moyes is hopeful that the club’s fortunes will change soon.
“We’ll do everything that we can to try and get it right,” the Scot said.
“It’s not far away and it’s coming. I can sense it.”
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
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