'Relief' Behind Ferguson Gesture

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted making an offensive gesture during Manchester United's 2-0 win at Reading on Saturday, but insisted that it was not directed towards the home supporters.

Ferguson, in Saudi Arabia with United on a mid-season trip, stopped short of apologizing but put down the incident to an explosion of joy after Cristiano Ronaldo had scored the team's second goal in the final minute. "All I was doing was expressing my relief in what was one of our hardest matches of the season," said the manager, preparing his team for a testimonial match for the former Saudi Arabia striker Sami Al-Jaber tonight. "Reading always make it tough for us and our players had to run so much we clocked up more kilometers than in any other game this season. It was relief."

Ferguson has already served a two-game touchline ban this season after verbally abusing the referee Mark Clattenburg during a 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers in November. The Football Association also fined him £5,000 and warned him as to his future behavior but he is unlikely to face any action for the latest incident. The FA's disciplinary department is expected to ask for video footage but the early feeling at Soho Square is that the offense will not be deemed serious.