Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has criticised the Premier League's lack of consultation with managers and players before announcing its plans to take fixtures abroad.

The league has proposed that clubs play one additional fixture overseas from 2011 in a 39-game season.

Ferguson said those carrying the extra workload should have had an input before the ideas were made public.

"What disappoints me is that [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," Ferguson said.

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

"I think if they are going to do these things they should have enquired and had a discussion with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it.

"This should be discussed internally by clubs before they come to this position we are in today.

"Until I see and speak to David Gill and see more about it I have really have nothing to say."

Ferguson did welcome one new innovation from the league, with clubs likely to be able to name seven substitutes from next season.

"I'm delighted about that," he said. "I have said for years that it should be 11 substitutes. Most clubs are carrying squads of 22 to 23 players.

"It helps in some way - but I still think it should be 11."

WHAT THE MANAGERS THINK

Kevin Keegan - Newcastle

"I have seen the press and a lot of people have been negative, but I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing. From what I understand, it has been well thought out. It is a 39th game. The trouble with a lot of people is when something new comes into the arena, they want to find reasons to knock it. I can think of just as many reasons to say 'Wow, it's good'."

Roy Keane - Sunderland

"It's great. Change is good but that depends who you are playing in that extra game. If it's one of the top four, I might argue. The Premier League has been brilliant and Richard Scudamore spoke brilliantly last night. They are looking at the proposals and do everything properly. It's three years away and I think we should all be trying to be positive about it."

Steve Coppell - Reading

"It's good, it's innovative. We are the prime league in the world at the moment and I heard on the TV this morning that English Premier League football is seen in 200 countries across the world. So we have to do something to keep it in everybody's eye-line and I can only presume that the world-wide TV contract is up for renewal."

Harry Redknapp - Portsmouth

"I said months ago I could see us playing abroad, I could see them all taking their teams, getting more and more foreign owners. We will probably end up playing one game a year in England and the rest around the world. It would be like the Harlem Globetrotters! ... It's money making. Why do these people buy football clubs? Owners of clubs used to be the local butcher, baker, candlestick maker. That was their team. It's all about investment for these people. They buy clubs, they get a good investment and they want a return on their money and that's why they buy the club - it's not because they love the club."

Steve Bruce - Wigan

"It's bad enough with international friendlies, let alone going overseas. I read the other day that games are going out to 22 or 23 countries, it's quite unbelievable, it gets everywhere. So I wouldn't be surprised, although there will be a few irate people. Can you imagine going to Fergie and telling him 'by the way, you're not playing at home this week, you are playing in Japan'? I'd like to see it!"

Roy Hodgson - Fulham

"It is obviously a marketing thing. I would have to have a clearer picture of what is behind this marketing idea - I would have to find out more about it. One extra game of football a year, as long as the calendar can be sorted out, that doesn't seem to be a dealbreaker - but I have no real opinions at the moment on whether it is a good deal or a bad deal."

Gareth Southgate - Middlesbrough

"Is it April 1? I find it highly unlikely it would happen. I wouldn't think it would be a realistic proposition."

Reuters