Alex Ferguson has accused Premier League chiefs of damaging Manchester United's chances of winning the Champions League with their "ridiculous" scheduling.
Ferguson is furious his team must play Everton at Old Trafford in a Premier League fixture on Sunday, while Real Madrid, who host United in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, have been allowed to bring their Liga clash with Sevilla forward to Saturday.
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Ferguson believes the extra time Madrid now have to recover could be crucial and he launched a scathing attack on the EPL for failing to reschedule the Everton match.
“The Premier League agree the contract with TV and they are in control. But they are not giving our teams a chance to be successful in Europe,” Ferguson was quoted as saying in several English newspapers.
“It is ridiculous to think we are playing on Sunday and Madrid have an extra day’s rest. It is not fair. France play Friday nights. Why? Possibly we (England) get more money out of television, I don’t know.
“Other countries make sacrifices for their top teams in Europe. What can you do? Not turn up? I would like to do that by the way,” he added.