Alex Ferguson brands Carlo Ancelotti and Fernando Torres critics as ridiculous

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Ahead of tomorrow's Champions League quarter-final between the clubs at Stamford Bridge, Ferguson branded criticism of the striker as "ridiculous" and said he cannot comprehend why Ancelotti should be sacked this summer.

Torres has failed to score in his eight games for Chelsea since his £50million move from Liverpool in January and Ferguson is praying he does not come good tomorrow night.

"Of course he will start scoring," said the Scot. "I just hope he waits a little bit, at least until after the tie against us. When Chelsea signed him, everyone said what a great signing he was, and rightly so. Now everyone says it was a mistake. Can people be more ridiculous? Of course he needs time to adapt."

Torres was signed to try and revive a team who have endured their worst Premier League run since the 2003-04 campaign.

That season ended with Claudio Ranieri getting sacked but Ferguson insists Ancelotti does not deserve the same fate, particularly given his success last term.

"I cannot understand how you can criticise Ancelotti, who won the Double in his first season at Chelsea," added the Old Trafford boss in an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"It's the fault of the current media atmosphere. They invent problems where there are none. I am certain Carlo reacts like me.

"He ignores the media so that your decisions, your philosophy and your mental health are not affected by it. How can Chelsea think of changing a coach like him?"