Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says there's been a cultural shift in today's English fan.

Ferguson was speaking at an inaugural dinner of the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame 1000 Club, celebrating the 18 men to have managed more than 1,000 domestic league or cup matches, including Sir Matt Busby, Brian Clough, Alec Stock and Sir Bobby Robson.

He said: "There's a book called United Unlimited and there's a fantastic photograph in it of Manchester United v Leeds United back in the Sixties and there's absolute mayhem in the middle of the pitch.

"The players are fighting and scratching. Denis Law having lumps pulled off him. Jack Charlton there. In the background there's not a bit of emotion in the fans.

"See the culture of the fans today. They are over the fence, screaming and bawling. It's a different time. You can understand why chairmen react quickly and get rid of their manager."