Sir Alex Ferguson rallied around under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, saying he has nothing to prove.
Hodgson, who takes his side to Manchester United in the FA Cup tomorrow, is on the brink of the sack with the Anfield club just four points above the relegation zone.
Despite United’s fierce rivalry with Liverpool, Fergie said Hodgson’s successful managerial record meant the 63-year-old deserved better than his current plight.
“Roy Hodgson doesn’t need to justify his record as a manager,” said Fergie. “His experience and performance level everywhere he’s been have been terrific, so I’m not going to get into that.
“We’re in a situation where managers are getting fired and threatening to be fired.
“It’s a very difficult industry these days. I feel for all those managers who are under pressure and have lost their jobs. The League Managers’ Association is the proper people to talk about it.
“They’re doing a fantastic job representing the managers brilliantly and they have a great chief executive in Richard Bevan.”
Fergie is determined not to suffer the same FA Cup fate as last season, when United were dumped out by Leeds – then in League One – at the first hurdle after a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
“The FA Cup is a tournament you can’t take for granted,” said Fergie.
“We did that last year and we got a reminder, losing at home to Leeds in the third round.
“It was the first time I’d lost a third round tie since I’ve been at the club and it didn’t sit well with me.
“I was sick for a few days, I didn’t enjoy it, so hopefully I’ll enjoy this one better.
“The big difference on Sunday will be that Liverpool will have 9,000 fans at Old Trafford.
“They’re only allowed 3,000 fans in a normal Premier League game, whereas in the FA Cup the percentage goes up and they’re given the whole end.
“It definitely generates a fantastic atmosphere.
“We’ve experienced that over the years, even last year when Leeds brought 9,000 fans.
“They made themselves heard and it was a fantastic atmosphere.”
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