Sir Alex Ferguson was angry that he was not consulted before the Premier League made public their plans for an 'international round' of matches.

The Manchester United manager refused to give his view on the plan, which would see every top-flight club play an extra match a season in a foreign city.

The 20 clubs have voted in principle to explore the proposal, which would take effect from the 2010-11 season.

Ferguson said: "What disappoints me is [United chief executive] David Gill phoned me and said 'keep this quiet, we are going to discuss it' and then it's all over the papers.

"They can't keep their mouth shut down there.

"I think if they are going to do these things they should have been enquiring and having discussions with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it.

"These issues should be discussed internally by clubs before they come to this position we are at but until I speak to David Gill again I have nothing more to say about it."

Responding to Ferguson's remarks, a Premier League spokesman said: "This is the start of the consultation process, not the end.

"It was given to the clubs on Thursday so that they can initiate that process.

"This is a proposal which everybody knows needs a lot of work and a lot of consideration before it takes its final shape."

Ferguson was "delighted" however that the Premier League will allow a bench of seven substitutes rather than six from next season.

He added: "I have said that for years. It should be 11 subs on the bench, as most clubs carry a squad of 22 or 23 players. At least this helps.

"Last Sunday at Tottentham we had players sitting in the stands who could have been on the bench contributing something towards the team."

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