International friendlies are ‘a waste of time’: Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the concept of international friendlies “a waste of time”.

In the wake of England’s wave of withdrawals ahead of today’s friendly with Ghana, Ferguson claimed that players not turning up for international duty devalue friendlies.

“I am all in favour of the competitions. The players should play in the major competitions - the European Championship, the World Cup. But friendlies are a waste of time as far as I am concerned. We always say that,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

“It is understandable for the coach. They have the players for a period when they can influence them. But every time there are friendlies you get six or seven call-offs. It is sometimes worthless for the manager to build on that because of the lack of players,” he added.