Manchester United's outgoing manager Alex Ferguson has criticised neighbours Manchester City for sacking Roberto Mancini.
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The Italian boss was sacked on Monday having failed to retain the Premier League title he won last season and after losing the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic.
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Mancini took out a full-page advertisement in the Manchester Evening News on Saturday, thanking fans for their support during his time in charge.
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The former Inter Milan manager said in the ad:
"Manchester City Supporters 3 unforgettable years, you will always be in my heart, ciao, Roberto Mancini."
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Ferguson, who will retire following Sunday's game at West Bromwich Albion, rallied behind his former rival and questioned the logic behind sacking a manager who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his three years in charge.
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"It was quite amazing. He has won the FA Cup, been in the final, second in the league and won the league and it's not good enough?" he told reporters.
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"I was surprised, but actually no, you can't say you are surprised not with some owners today. You can't be surprised, but I still don't think it was right."
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Ferguson will be replaced by David Moyes, who will leave Everton at the end of the season after 11 years in charge.
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While Ferguson says Moyes will not be distracted by the situation at Manchester City, he will need to adapt to working at a club with a larger global appeal.
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"What happens at Man City won't have any bearing on David," Ferguson said.
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"He's got the structure here and he's got the experience. He's had to handle things at Everton that are more difficult probably. I don't think that matters.
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"I think the enormity of the club will be the most difficult aspect, he will soon realise that anyway.
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"The global brand and number of sponsors we have, he has to fit into that. I don't think that's an issue though and the most important thing is the team.
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"He's got a good squad of players and he will want to add to that. He will have his own ideas and that's good. He will be fine."