Fergie did have Roy row
Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded he did have a bust-up with skipper Roy Keane despite initially denying the reports.
The Manchester United manager claims it is an inevitable situation because both he and his captain are " combustible" characters but made it clear it was not a repeat of the infamous Saipan spat between Keane and Republic of Ireland chief Mick McCarthy.
It is believed Keane felt families should not have been allowed to join the players on the training camp in the Algarve.
" Roy and I had a few words at our training camp in Portugal," revealed Ferguson. " But did he walk out?
" Did we come to blows? Of course not.
" We are both combustible characters and we are always having arguments.
" I wish I had a pound for every row I have had with Roy Keane. He cares and I care and, every so often, we clash in pursuit of our ambitions.
" That does not affect the respect I have for him and I do not think it lessens my standing as a manager in Roy Keane´s eyes.
" I feel slightly stupid having to explain the background to all these petty disputes but the media make so much out of them, I cannot let them go unchallenged."
Ferguson also backed Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand after their public slanging match at the end of the defeat to Kashima Antlers on the Asian tour.
The highly-prized duo argued aggressively on the pitch but the Scot feels there is nothing wrong in displaying a bit of passion.
" Rio probably felt Ruud had not made enough effort to move away from his marker in order to receive the ball," added Ferguson.
" Ruud, on the other hand, perhaps felt Rio had been too slow to give him the ball. Either way, it was one of those things which happens all the time in games and in training.
" It looked worse than it was but, in my book, there is nothing wrong with players feeling passionate about their performance and a result, even if it does end up in an argument."