SAF fumes at Sparky treatment

"Totally unacceptable!" That’s what Sir Alex Ferguson thinks of Manchester City's treatment of Mark Hughes. Hughes was sacked last weekend following City’s 4-3 win over Sunderland and replaced by Roberto Mancini. Ferguson, who managed Hughes as a player, was especially cutting of City chief executive Garry Cook's handling of the affair. "It was totally unacceptable behaviour. For some reason Christmas seems to bring out the worst in directors," fumed the Manchester United boss. "It doesn't matter whether you have lost 20 games or two, there is a way to treat people," added Ferguson. "From Saturday morning the rumour mill was working and Mark must have realised it was his last game. It was a terrible position to be in." City currently lie sixth in the EPL and have been beaten only twice in the league this season.