Fergie unhappy over Hammers joy

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted old friend Alan Curbishley won his survival fight - but the Manchester United boss is not so pleased for West Ham as a club.

Ferguson has dismissed the criticism of Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock over the team he fielded at Old Trafford on Sunday after he left out five key men - introducing Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes an hour into the 1-0 home defeat by the happy Hammers.

"I am delighted for Alan but I can't say I am too delighted for West Ham because of all the circumstances surrounding them," he said. "I don't want get involved in it. It is not my domain and it doesn't involve Manchester United. But I do feel for Sheffield United and I know everyone around the country is looking at the situation with some concern."

Warnock felt bitter about the team Ferguson picked, having taken the Scot at his word when he claimed he would select his best side, however the Red Devils chief rejects the complaints out of hand.

"No-one can point the finger at us," he said. "We dominated the first-half, had four shots cleared off the line and were denied a stonewall penalty after half-time.

"Overall I felt we were unlucky and, when he looks at the stats, Neil Warnock will see that."

Ferguson claimed a combination of winning the title and the prospect of Saturday's FA Cup final with Chelsea were the major reasons why his side did not spark, failing to score on home soil for only the second time all season.

"In fairness, West Ham could not have come to Old Trafford on a better day," he said.

"We have just won the league, so the edge is bound to be off our game a little bit and a lot of them had their eyes on the FA Cup final.

"But I played the right type of team, with players who were relishing a challenge or needing a game. We did our best and I don't think anyone can criticise us."