O'Neill hits out at Sven

Martin O'Neill has hit out at Premiership rival manager of Man City Sven-Goran Eriksson after he recommended Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg to Italian giants Juventus.

O'Neill said: "I was really surprised with what Sven has said because it is out of character for Sven to be speaking like that.

"I am surprised if he has said it. I am not sure he should be saying things like that about a player unless he is aiming to take him himself!

"Recommending him to another club is surprising. Maybe I should recommend some of his Manchester City players to Manchester United.

"But am I going to phone Sven up about it, absolutely not."