Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted shock at Brian Kidd's appointment as Roberto Mancini's assistant at Manchester City.

Kidd, who was Ferguson's assistant with United, has stepped up from an Academy role at City to become outright No2.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Ferguson said. "I don't know where that's come from to be honest with you."

"Sven (Goran Eriksson) told me Brian's a fantastic man," Mancini insists.