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Fergie hits back at Mourinho
1/ 5/2007

SIR Alex Ferguson has launched a furious attack on Jose Mourinho following the Chelsea manager's latest outburst about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho branded Ronaldo a "liar" last week for questioning his claim that 'new rules' were in operation in the Premier League which prevented Chelsea from getting a penalty and United from conceding one.

Ferguson hit back with predictable force, although that only triggered another personal retort from Mourinho, who accused Ronaldo of being uneducated because he came from working-class family in Madeira.

The attack is clearly a step too far for Ferguson, a socialist to the core, who takes immense pride in his own roots forged the shipyards of Govan.

And the Scot has now rounded on Mourinho, who was brought up in the comfort of a middle-class family in Setubal.

"I don't know why he has done this," said Ferguson.

Principles

"Maybe he is trying to unsettle the boy. But it is really below the belt to bring class into it.

"Just because you come from a poor, working-class background does not mean to say you are not educated.

"What Ronaldo has are principles, that is why he has not responded to it.

"Other people are educated but have no principles."

Ferguson has declared his desire to draw a line under the row, although that seems highly unlikely given the number of times United must face Chelsea before the campaign reaches its conclusion.

The Red Devils are due at Stamford Bridge in eight days' time for the game which, providing the title has not already been tied up by then, could see Ferguson's men crowned champions.

The pair will then meet at Wembley on May 19 in the FA Cup final, when one of them will be thirsting to gain revenge for their failure to win the league.

In addition, it is already certain England's top two will collide in next season's Community Shield, while the possibility of a Champions League epic in Athens on May 23 could become a reality over the next 24 hours.