Financial penalty unlikely to see Ferguson end rift with BBC

Ferguson refused to speak with the BBC after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Fulham, as he has done since 2004 when the BBC made allegations against his son Jason as part of a documentary.

The Manchester United manager demanded an apology, which the BBC have refused to supply, leading to the lengthy stand-off, which the Premier League had hoped would be resolved.

Instead, Ferguson has stuck to his stance, even though it leaves United open to a fine, and Shearer – who is a regular pundit on the BBC's flagship football highlights programme – does not expect the situation to alter.

"Sir Alex is a man of his word and a man of principle," said Shearer when questioned on radio about the situation. "I don't think he will speak to us again."

United have already made it clear they support Ferguson in his stance, which is just as well given they, rather than the Scot himself, will be the ones who are punished when the Premier League decide exactly what to do next.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore, chairman Sir David Richards and secretary Mike Foster will reach a conclusion at a Premier League board meeting at the end of next month.

Brede Hangeland, meanwhile, believes Fulham have made a seamless managerial transition from Roy Hodgson to Mark Hughes.

Hodgson, the mastermind of the most successful spell in the Cottagers' history, departed for Liverpool over the summer.

Hughes was given the unenviable task of filling his shoes but the former Manchester City boss has made a encouraging start to his tenure. A point secured at Bolton was followed up by Sunday's thrilling stalemate with United and Hangeland insists the team are content under Hughes.

"There is no reason why we should lose our team spirit because we changed manager," said the defender.

"Towards the end against United our team spirit was every bit as good as it has been for the last couple of years."