'When Sir Alex Ferguson granted a rare interview to his favourite Sunday newspaper at the weekend he made it clear that he would set the agenda.
No questions on John Magnier or David Beckham, just the chance to say that Rio Ferdinand's decision not to appeal his dead-to-rights conviction for missing a drugs test probably cost United the title, give his version of the Roy Keane controversy and make public the depth of his hots for Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.
However much you admire Ferguson's achievements, it is hard not be outraged by his rejection of any sniff of public accountability. The Premiership meekly goes along with his refusal to talk after a game to anyone other than a representative of the house television channel. A self-respecting league simply wouldn't allow it.'