Ferguson recalls two United players from Preston

Sir Alex Ferguson has reacted to the sacking of his son Darren by Preston North End by recalling two of the Manchester United players who had been on loan at the club and starting a potential legal battle to make sure a third cannot play for them again.

Ferguson has recalled the defender Ritchie de Laet and the striker Joshua King and has also made it clear he wants the England Under-20 midfielder Matty James to return to Old Trafford.

"This has come as a shock to us and a bit of a blow," Preston chariman, Maurice Lindsay, said today.

"Ritchie de Laet and Joshua King won't be available for Saturday's game [against Derby] because we got a message from Manchester United this morning to inform us that they had been summoned back immediately and, under the terms of the agreement, they can do that.

"It's a big blow for us. These are two players, young and enthusiastic, who seemed to be enjoying it at Preston, so to be told by their parent club that they can't play for us again really is sad indeed."