Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Stoke City counterpart Tony Pulis.

Ferguson is a pal of Stoke boss Pulis and full of admiration for the job he has done with the club.

And Fergie said: "Tony has done a fantastic job with them, I can see progress every year.

"They are a formidable outfit now.

"I think they have only conceded one goal away from home this season and that was in the last minute to Chelsea.

"Continuity brings consistency. They have had the same manager, the same staff and mainly the same set of players for years."