SIR ALEX FERGUSON is hoping for a Rangers and Manchester United double in Europe and domestically but he says the SPL could deny half of the bargain.

Ferguson's United will clinch the Premiership today by beating Wigan and then go for Champions League glory against Chelsea in Moscow on May 21.

He would love old club Rangers to win the UEFA Cup on Wednesday and then the SPL title but, like many, he is amazed at the lack of help from the authorities.

"The obvious deterrent to Rangers winning this game is the number of fixtures they have had,"  sir Alex told STV's Scotland Today.

"They have not been helped by the Scottish football league.

"It is a typical British (attitude), don't help you, whereas St Petersburg cancel all their games. So that's fantastic preparation.

"That could make the difference."

Ferguson, whose team have nine free days to prepare for their Champions League final against Chelsea, also hit out at the fixture pile-up Rangers face in the final week of their domestic season.

"They have got Saturday and then the cup final the following Wednesday," he said.

"Then they have a Saturday lunchtime kick-off, then a Monday game, a Thursday game and then a Saturday game.

"It's absolutely ridiculous."