Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says critics write-off Sir Alex Ferguson at their peril.

McLeish joined the chorus of disapproval at Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's behaviour.

Big Eck, who played under Fergie at Aberdeen, where he won a string of titles and the European Cup Winners' Cup, is stunned Rooney wants to quit Old Trafford.

He said: "I was amazed at Wayne wanting to leave. He's still young and I can't for the life of me see why United wouldn't be able to attract the best.

"They can get pretty much who they like, there would be a queue from here to Glasgow. And just when people write off Alex Ferguson, he goes and does it again. Even if Man United had a couple of bad years before under Sir Alex, you've seen what they achieved after it.

"They had seasons when they looked like they'd win nothing, then they win the title and the European Cup again."

McLeish is also worried about the rise of player power within the game.

He added: "It's been bubbling under for a long time. I've seen stories of players getting together and even publicly speaking about having a meeting about the manager's future. It ends up that a manager leaves his job.

"Players are rich men at the top level. And it's about how do you get the best out of these young millionaires."