Fergie's Friday press conference: The United boss hits back at Patrick Vieira

Earlier in the week, former Arsenal midfielder and current Manchester City Football Development Executive Patrick Vieira, took a dig at Manchester United by saying the return of Paul Scholes was a moment of desperation. To be quite honest, I couldn't care less if the move was -- or is perceived as -- desperate because Scholesy has arguably been the Premier League 'signing' of the season. The great Andrea Pirlo may be the maestro's only peer on the planet as an influential deep-lying playmaker. However, if the Frenchman's comment bothers you, try getting a hold of Keano and see if he'll sort out his former counterpart again. The comment from the noisy neighbour did appear to irk manager Sir Alex Ferguson...

During Fergie's press conference today, his weekly one ahead of Monday's upcoming clash with Fulham FC, he went off the path a bit from his usual general injury updates and predictable words of praise for the upcoming weekend opponent. He decided to have a go at Vieira and he even responded to what the United boss perceived as a dig from City manager Roberto Mancini. Get the popcorn ready...

"If it’s desperation, bringing the best midfielder in Britain for the last 20 years back, then I think we can accept that. I think he was programmed for that. Roberto [Mancini] had a wee dig a couple of weeks back. We’re all going to play our hand that way. There will be plenty of ammunition for that [any mind games].I think the point he makes about Ravel Morrison and losing our young players – we wanted to sell him, let’s be clear about that, for obvious reasons. But we want Pogba to stay. If you talk about desperation, they played a player [Carlos Tevez] the other night who refused to go on the pitch and the manager said he’d never play again and he takes a five-month holiday in Argentina…what is that? Could that come under the description of desperation? There will be plenty of ammunition don’t worry."

-Ferguson | Source: ManUtd.com

Well played Fergie, well played. Squeaky bum time is here.