Ferguson hits out at Pearce disclosure

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at Stuart Pearce after the England Under-21 boss disclosed the reason for Phil Jones' absence in midweek.

After Jones withdrew from the Under-21 friendly with Sweden on Tuesday, Pearce claimed the former Blackburn man was suffering from shingles.

Evidently the problem is not serious as Ferguson has declared Jones fit for Sunday's Premier League encounter with Everton.

But Ferguson is not happy.

"What about doctor confidentiality?" said Ferguson.

"We are disappointed with that."

It is not the first time news of United injuries has emerged from the England camp after Roy Hodgson claimed Ashley Young was missing from a squad earlier this season with a knee problem.

"It is something we have to address," said Ferguson.

"The FA is a big organisation, things can leak from a lot of different places.

"But that was a conversation between our doctor and theirs, and shouldn't have gone any further."

Meanwhile, Ferguson confirmed Young was available after a more recent knee injury and that Michael Carrick, who pulled out of England's friendly with Brazil with a hip problem, has also recovered.