NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS

Sir Alex Ferguson is involved in an angry feud with Manchester United's own TV station after it broadcast withering criticism of his team. Fergie was furious when MUTV interviewed Old Trafford legend Stuart Pearson after the recent 3-1 defeat by Manchester City.

Pearson launched a bitter attack on the club's derby-day disaster. He said: "I don't think I've seen a performance as bad as that for a long time - if I've ever seen one that bad before from a Manchester United team.

"Alex has got a lot to answer for.''

Ferguson was so upset by MUTV carrying the outspoken comments, he is considering banning the channel from talking to United's stars.

His belief that MUTV was the one channel he and his players could trust has been destroyed.

The channel also broadcast Pearson's stinging criticism of Juan Sebastian Veron, when he said during a phone-in: "To spend £28million on a midfielder when we needed other departments strengthening, I think, was a mistake.

"We should try and get our money back and sell him because I don't think he's good enough to be a Manchester United player when we have everybody fit.''

Club officials are trying to solve the embarrassing rift before the weekend so MUTV can continue interviewing Old Trafford stars for its 70,000 subscribers, although it is unlikely Pearson will ever again appear on the channel.