Warnock 'bitter' over relegation

Warnock claimed the West Ham situation, coupled with the decisions of Manchester United and Liverpool to field weakened teams in recent weeks, made his side's slide harder to take.

Warnock said: "I am bitter about all the circumstances over the last two weeks really but by Tuesday it will all be fish and chip paper. I have just got to get over that bitterness."

He added: "It is only human to look at the dossier and not understand why they (West Ham) haven't had any points deducted and that is why you do get disappointed.

"But by Tuesday it will all be in the bin and there won't be a big hoo-haa. Sheffield United - so what. West Ham are a big club with big reputations and they've obviously got good solicitors."

Of Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to start the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs on the substitutes' bench as his side lost 1-0 at home to West Ham, Warnock added: "I think I was sold a dummy earlier in the week.

"But Sir Alex has his own reasons and obviously the Cup final was more important to him. But fate's fate. Probably Chelsea will win the FA Cup final and AC Milan will win the Champions League."

Warnock refused to be drawn on his own future and preferred to pay tribute to his players whom he said had proved themselves worthy of their Premiership status.

Describing relegation as a "gut-wrenching, horrible feeling", Warnock added: "All season we have not made it difficult enough for other teams and given goals away when we have been in good positions.

"They haven't had to work hard for either goal and we have committed suicide really. The lads have been magnificent and tried their hardest and I couldn't have got much more out of them. But it is still very disappointing when you go down because of the thickness of a post."