Graham Taylor hits back at Sir Alex Ferguson

Ex-Manchester United chief Ferguson's autobiography hit the streets today and in it, he criticises Wolves' handling of his son after he let him move to Molineux for £250,000 in 1994.

Taylor managed Ferguson Jr for more than a year after replacing Graham Turner in March 1994, a month after Ferguson signed.

Fergie pointed the finger at Wolves for his son's lack of progress and said he was the best footballer at Molineux.

However, Taylor poured cold water on that assertion.

He said today: "Of course Alex being such a strong personality he would come to watch Darren play on a Saturday if Manchester United were playing on a Sunday.

"I'm certain he would take more notice of what his dad said than what I said and I understand that situation. I'm not grumpy about that.

"Darren was very good on his left foot, a good midfield player.

"He lacked pace, that didn't help – he wasn't the quickest – and if there was a heading situation he would rarely win the ball."

In Fergie's book, the former Scotland boss also revealed how he has 'cured' ex-Villa winger Ashley Young's tendency for diving.

Ferguson signed Young from Villa for £16m in summer 2011 but claimed the former Watford wideman was soon told his penchant for winning cheap penalties was not acceptable.

"Ashley ran into trouble against QPR in the 2011-12 season when Shaun Derry was sent off and our player was accused of diving," said Ferguson.

"I left him out of the next game, and told him that the last thing he needed as a Manchester United player was a reputation for going down easily. It wasn't a penalty kick against QPR and Shaun Derry's sending off was not rescinded. Ashley did it two weeks in a row but we stopped it.

"Going to ground too willingly was not something I tolerated."