Nope It's a classic Sir Alex ploy, though in this case it works well for both sides, Macca gets a well publicised moody and the Hacks don't have to listen to his stilted phraseology for longer!

That much wanted 'higher profile' has always magically appeared at the first sign of trouble in the game so I guess it's no change to normal practices as far as the press is concerned. The players involved ought to be very embarrassed about it though.

To be honest having watched it I can see his point of view regarding the dropping of Graham. He wasn't the only one that missed out. after today's game you never saw anybody ask him why Burrow or Farrell wern;t named in the 17

Farrell is not big enough at international level.

I never said he was. I was simply stated in facts of nobody started to ask questions about why other players in the 24 and then 19 man squad weren't named.