Birmingham boss McLeish stopped just short of admitting that it was Fergie who had dictated his team's tactics for this game, says The Sun.

Big Eck said: "I spoke to him after we'd played at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that our next league game was against Arsenal.

"I'm taking the Fifth Amendment on what he said but I'm sure he will be delighted with this result.

"I know this result will affect the league in one way or another but we've also done ourselves a big favour and I'm in this for Birmingham, not for Manchester United."