Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the decisions by Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley to walk out on Newcastle and West Ham respectively.

Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "I admire Kevin Keegan and I admire Alan Curbishley because they went on a matter of principle and the principle being - I am not in control of my team any longer.

"Players were being sold over their heads without even acknowledging them. That is not acceptable.

"It is not why you set out to be a manager .. on the whims of a chairman.

"Also, when they change the goalposts - all of a sudden they say 'well, I'm sorry, we need to sell these players'.

"Yes, there are financial constraints we are all aware of that but when you change halfway through from the start of the season...and the manager is subjected to these problems, it's no longer the same job.

"And so therefore they walk because it's a matter of principle and I totally agree with it."