Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has explained why he's banned his players from signing autographs at the club's Carrington complex.

In his programme notes for yesterday's victory over Blackburn, Ferguson said: "I offer apologies to fans who come to the Carrington training ground looking for autographs, because we have had to ask players not to stop and sign your books.

"The problem is that we have had too many opportunists selling on signed merchandise. They are not fans at all, and we have taken this action in order to stop the practice. We hope that you understand our decision."