The Scottish tactician slammed Wiley after the English champions' 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford, saying he was 'not fit enough for a game of that standard'.

Ferguson made an apology after the English FA asked him to justify his comments.

"I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views," he told Manchester United's official website.

"In retrospect, I accept that this could be deemed as expressing those views in an inappropriate forum.

"It was never my intention to bring the focus of intense media attention on Mr Wiley. I intend to contact him personally after I return from a trip overseas during this international break."