Post by Taxigirl on Jan 10, 2004 11:16:43 GMT
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised Fulham over the furore surrounding striker Louis Saha and insisted United will not be making another bid for the Frenchman.
Fulham manager Chris Coleman accused United of bullying tactics in their bid to land the Frenchman and insisted that the player will not be leaving during the January transfer window.
As a result Saha criticised Coleman in the French press, claiming that he was "appalled" by the manager's refusal to sell him and insisting that he wanted to move to Old Trafford.
For his part, Ferguson claims Fulham made the problem worse by going public with the news of United's offer. "We sent them a letter marked private and confidential and they gave it to the Press," he said.
"I spoke to Chris Coleman about the boy at the start of the season and left it there. I never said another word.
"Then we sent them a letter, containing our bid, signed by (chief executive) David Gill, not by Alex Ferguson.
"We did everything right. By sending a letter we did it professionally. There won't be another bid. We don't want any fights. Fulham seem determined to keep the boy so there is nothing we can do about that."
COLEMAN MAINTAINS SAHA STANCE
Fulham manager Chris Coleman remains unmoved by Louis Saha's determination to quit the club in order to join Manchester United.
The French forward has made it clear that he would love to head for Old Trafford and, worryingly for the West Londoners, indicated that his poor performance during the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough may not have been a coincidence.
However, Coleman has stressed that the former Metz striker will be dropped if he continues to under-perform, and reiterated Fulham's stance on the matter.
"I know he's said he thinks the club have treated him badly but I totally disagree with that," he stated.
"We love Louis. The fans love him.
"He's still got a job to do. There's four months left of the season. It's a critical stage and there's no way he will be leaving the club in January.
"I've got to look after the team and make sure the fans know that. I know they are edgy.
"Louis has done a lot for Fulham but Fulham have done a lot for Louis, and I don't think him leaving in January is right."
Saha disappointed in the reverse at The Riverside on Wednesday evening.
"I saw his quote saying it may have been no accident but, if Louis starts putting in bad performances, he'll be out of the team," added Coleman. "It doesn't mean we're selling him.
"We've got Barry Hayles and Facundo Sava on the bench and they'll come and knock on the door.
"He's a terrific player, our number one striker and he's banging the goals in.
"I've got an obligation to the rest of the team. He's an honest boy, a terrific kid and a great professional.
"He's got a lot of people in his head but I've got to tell him how important he is to us and how much his team-mates want him to stay.
"I believe his chance will come around again if he's doing the business. Now is not the right time for us."