Megson desrves a break, says Fergie
8:40am Saturday 17th October 2009 in Sport By Marc Iles
SIR Alex Ferguson has urged Wanderers’ fans to lay-off Gary Megson, as the two managers prepare to meet at Old Trafford.
Megson leads his side into today’s game unbeaten in five — yet his relationship with the club’s fans remains unstable.
The Whites boss has struggled to win over the Reebok faithful in a little under two years in charge, a situation that mystifies his opposite number.
“Gary Megson has had criticism, which beggars belief,” said Ferguson. “Bolton are a better team than people give them credit for.
“They have always been a determined side. But when Sam (Allardyce) was there he elevated them to a higher level. When he left, he was a big man to replace.
“But Megson has kept them up. They are physical and determined — and they never give in.”
Megson would do himself no harm in the popularity stakes by leading Wanderers to a first win in nearly seven years at the home of their local rivals.
His cause has been boosted with the news that England striker Wayne Rooney has been ruled out for the Reds with a calf injury, and that question marks still hang over Dimitar Berbatov, whose partner has just given birth to the couple’s child in Bulgaria.
Youngsters Federico Macheda and Danny Wellbeck are on standby, and Michael Owen is now fit to return.
Wanderers received a boost on the eve of the game, with full-back Sam Ricketts making a full recovery from an ankle injury. Johan Elmander remains a doubt after aggravating a hamstring strain while on international duty with Sweden. Megson is confident Wanderers can continue their recent run of good form, in a game he admits is likely to bring the best out of his side. “When I was at Norwich, you would look down to see when the derby was against Ipswich, but the game everyone wanted to play in was United at Old Trafford,” the Wanderers boss said. “United have to cope with that because everyone does raise their game when they play against them, including the other sides in the big four. It’s a great occasion. It will be the biggest crowd that most of the players will ever play in front of. “The thing that I would like to stress to the players is that it’s one thing to say to your grandchildren in the future that you have played there, but it’s entirely different to say that you have played there and you have won there. I would love our players to be able to say that.”
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