Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Andre Villas-Boas has coped well'

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas for remaining in English football.

Villas-Boas was sacked as manager of Chelsea after just eight months in charge at Stamford Bridge, before being hired to take control of Spurs in the summer, and Ferguson has admitted that he would not have blamed the Portuguese coach if he had opted to return to his homeland.

Ferguson told reporters: "He had that short spell at Chelsea and could have said I will stay in Portugal because it is a bit mad in England but he has taken the challenge.

"In fairness he has gone to a good club with a good history. That has been the persuader really and he has coped well.

"He has got them playing the way that he wants them, which is what every coach wants. He has got his philosophy and ideas across and that has got them to a really good position."

Ferguson takes Manchester United to White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon to face Spurs.