A Lesson in Dignity

No-one hates losing more than Sir Alex Ferguson, but after watching his Manchester United side beaten by Southend United striker Freddy Eastwood’s brilliant first half free kick, he was adamant he had “no complaints” and insisted that both he and his players would have to learn from the experience.

It’s worth dwelling on that a moment. The holders, fielding a strong side that includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, are dumped out of the Carling Cup by a team languishing at the bottom of the Championship, and the manager has ‘no complaints’. In other words, no attack on the opposing team or its manager and no snide comments about the officials.

Are you listening Mourinho?