(Billy) Childish

Main focus is the interview with Sir Alex to be shown on Sky tonight. The Independent and The Telegraph have the most in depth set of quotes. From The Independent:

Asked what he looks for in a player, Ferguson says: "His ability, obviously – and his enthusiasm. I remember someone said to me [that Sir] Bobby Robson's greatest asset was his enthusiasm. People like Bobby Robson are treasures – wanting to keep on working until their 70s and with the same enthusiasm, so I make the point to players. It's not easy to keep that enthusiasm and work-rate and hunger up all your life."

At this point Frost, who is still working in his 80th year, says: "Absolutely – you're going to keep that enthusiasm up long past 70?"

Ferguson laughs, and says: "I'll keep the enthusiasm up – whether I'll still be doing the football, I'm not so sure about that. No, I don't think I'll be... I think no more than three years – two, maybe two, more like that."

"Two more?" asks Frost.

"Yes, I think so. I have also got to respect my wife, because she's suffering. She did suffer because she doesn't go to the games. She's not a football fan you know – she's an Alex Ferguson fan. She's a mother to all these three boys and a grandmother – that's her life. She watches the games on Teletext."

The Telegraph has quotes relating to Sir Alex's dispute with the BBC:

Sir David Frost, Question: You still firmly don't do anything for the BBC?

Sir Alex Ferguson, Answer: Absolutely -because you know I think the problem with the BBC is they never say they're sorry. They never admit their guilt. They never admit they're wrong. And I think - it's 2008, crikey me - that sometimes even the BBC has to be big, and I don't think they're big enough to do that.

Q: What would they have to do to make peace with you?

A: Just say sorry they were wrong. That's all they need to do and I told them that. They will not do that - they will not do that. So I think, yeah, it's maybe. I remember Gary Lineker... a bright boy from the BBC... says I'm childish.

Well, he should know about that himself - he's been subjected to a lot of stuff in the media himself. And I know he tried to - I know he's had stuff stopped from getting in newspapers from time to time, so he'll understand what childishness means, because he is childish. I don't think I'm childish at all. I think it's a stance. Quite rightly they're wrong. What they did was wrong.

There are also conflicting reports as to whether we've signed Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff, with The Guardian reporting that we've signed him, mediacal permitting:

"Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms with Cardiff City for the transfer of Aaron Ramsey subject to terms being agreed and the player passing a medical," read a United statement. Arsenal and Liverpool were also interested in signing the player who may be loaned back to Cardiff to gain more first-team experience.

While the BBC suggest that everything is not so final:

Manchester United are one of two top Premier League clubs to have had offers accepted by Cardiff City for Welsh teenage sensation Aaron Ramsey.

The Champions League winners have already announced an offer has been accepted, believed to be in the £5m to £6m region.

But another top club has joined the bidding battle and the BBC understands Arsenal have had an offer accepted.

Time will tell no doubt.