Sven: no problem with Sir Alex

Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has said that reports he has a bad relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson are completely wide of the mark, and that there is no such rift with the Man Utd boss.

"The custom here is to have a glass of red wine with your opposite number after the game and I enjoy that," he smiled. "From the first time I came to England I have always had a good relationship with the managers including Sir Alex - even if the press never believed that.

"If you are a manager or a coach you see a colleague and, of course, you want to beat him when you meet his team in games but that is where it ends. After the game you are friends.

"I think it is a very nice thing in England because in many other countries you do not find it happening where managers are invited for a glass of wine or cup of tea after a game. There is camaraderie."