Ferguson's friendly fire
By Phil McNulty BBC Sport Online's chief football writer

Sven-Goran Eriksson knows the animal he is dealing with - so there will be no open rebuke for Sir Alex Ferguson after his public humiliation of England's coach.

A stone-faced Sven watched as Paul Scholes, declared unfit by Ferguson for the friendly against Portugal, appeared on the team-sheet for Manchester United against Middlesbrough.

Conspiracy theorists gathered on the grassy knoll in Soho Square to declare this was an act of vengeance by Ferguson on various counts.

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Firstly, in response to Eriksson's decision to take England captain David Beckham to Dubai for treatment on his foot rather than let him remain behind at Old Trafford.

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And secondly - far more importantly - to sort out Sven's mum Ulla for having the temerity to reveal that Ferguson makes her boy's life hell when it comes to squad selection.

If the inclusion of Scholes, along with the withdrawal of injured Beckham, was designed to make Eriksson look a chump and show who is really boss, it did the job to perfection.

Ferguson's stance is understandable

Now it is reported that the FA will get tough on squad withdrawals to avoid a repeat.

It is a petty and unneccessary squabble, far more of Ferguson's doing than the FA's or Eriksson's.

But there has to be a measure of sympathy for Ferguson when his perceived reluctance to co-operate with England friendlies is analysed.

Whether the patriots like it or not, Ferguson has no obligation to put England before Manchester United.

He will receive no criticism from Old Trafford fans for his stance.

Also, it is understandable that Premiership managers facing tough assignments at home and abroad regard England friendlies as an intrusion into an already over-crowded calendar given recent events.

England's friendly matches have become little more than training exercises, with touchlines over-crowded by substitutes, fourth officials on the verge of exhaustion, and their small scoreboards on the point of meltdown.

The public revelled in England on the road, but there was an almost testimonial air over proceedings, with results virtually reduced to insignificance.

Eriksson must take some responsibility

It was difficult to know what Eriksson learned from friendlies such as those against Italy and Paraguay, with replacements scattered across the grass like confetti and few players getting longer than 45 minutes on show.

It was as if Eriksson had decided to conduct his tactical experiments on the pitch as opposed to the training ground.

If Ferguson is expected to take these games more seriously, then Eriksson himself must deliver more structure to the fixtures.

England should pick their best team available and stick to it for as long as possible - a tactic that also gives the public value for money and adds a competitive edge.

So before everyone turns their fire on Ferguson - a figure who hardly encourages or deserves sympathy - they should look closer to home first.