SIR Alex Ferguson found an ally at the Reebok when he claimed last Saturday's noon kick off gave Wanderers an unfair advantage over his jaded Reds.

Sam Allardyce reckons the United boss was right when he complained his players were denied vital recovery time following Wednesday night's Champions League victory over Juventus.

Ferguson was accused of whingeing when he criticised police for bringing the kick off time forward from 3pm but Allardyce sympathised, insisting that every hour counts when players are recovering between games.

"There's an amount of recovery time needed for every player and they (United) have been stretched to the limits from what he (Ferguson) was saying because of their heavy schedule and players playing in three or four games more than ours.

"Every hour would matter and every rest period would get them a little bit closer to recovery.

"He does have a point, whether it sounds nit-picky or not. That's why he is what he is and why he's achieved what he has achieved. He takes everything - just as I hope I do - to the nth degree. He uses everything he possibly can to get the best out of his player, as I do. That's what we are paid to do as managers.

"It might sound a little but nit-picky to people outside football but, if we don't pay attention to minute details, crossing every last 't' and dotting every 'i', you leave room for excuses and we don't do that."