Fergie Reverts to Siege Mentality as United Battle on 3 Fronts

In a week where Arsenal's dream of a historic quadruple has faded into near nothingness while Manchester United's hopes of bagging a terrific treble continue to burn brightly, Sir Alex Ferguson has sought to adopt an an all too familiar siege mentality in relation to recent media criticism and jibes he has received from rival managers of his attitude towards match officials. The wily old United boss - who has been charged by the FA over his remarks about referee Martin Atkinson following his side's defeat at Stamford Bridge - was in typically defiant mood as he rebuked comments made by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and former England boss Graham Taylor who had both spoken out against Fergie in recent televison interviews and the written press about Ferguson's rants.

     Ferguson was quoted as saying that people had "short memories" in reference to Dalglish's recent comments about the referee following his side's defeat to United earlier this season and also Taylor's now infamous tirade at the linesmen in an England qualifier when he claimed the referee had just got him the sack. The "nobody likes us we don't care" attitude of Sir Alex is certainly nothing new, and is one that he has used to deflect the media and public pressure and expectation away from his playing squad on a nunber of occasions as his side have faced the growing scrutiny and speculation that surrounds the Premier League title run in. No doubt at the end of the season (as he has on so many occassions), Ferguson will have the last laugh as his side continue to creep closer towards what would be a historic title win.