The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has condemned Jason Roberts for refusing to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt ahead of this weekend's games, saying "there shouldn't be a sheep wandering off".
The Reading striker has taken the stance as he believes the anti-discrimination body has failed to tackle racism. However, Ferguson believes Roberts is misguided.
"I have to disagree with Jason Roberts. I think he is making the wrong point," said Ferguson. "Everyone should be united, with all the players in the country wearing the Kick It Out warm-up tops."
Ferguson added: "I don't know what point he is trying to make. I don't know if he is trying to put himself on a different pedestal from everyone. But he really should be supporting all the rest of the players who are doing it.
"When you do something, and everyone believes in it, you should all do it together. There shouldn't be sheep wandering off. I think he is making the wrong message. All the players are wearing it. I have only heard that Jason Roberts is different – but he is very different. He plays a game and is in the studio 20 minutes after it. That is a great privilege."
Roberts does not feel Kick It Out has been strident enough in its response to the John Terry and Luis Suárez racial abuse incidents.
He told BBC Sport: "I find it hard to wear a T-shirt after what has happened in the last year. I won't wear one. I'm totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there's a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.
"I think people feel let down by what used to be called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football'. People don't feel like they have been strong enough."
Ferguson also confirmed his winger Ashley Young will be fit to return for Saturday's Old Trafford encounter with Stoke after his knee injury, but Chris Smalling was not quite ready after breaking a bone in a foot during pre-season.
The arrival of Stoke means a return to United for Michael Owen. However, Ferguson could not resist a light-hearted swipe at Tony Pulis's side.
"The jolly green giants are coming to play against us tomorrow," said the United manager. "Michael is not allowed to play unless he brings a ladder. They are the biggest team in Europe. You can get yourself all in a fangle about that because they are a handful at set-piece play and with their long throw-ins. But you can't make a terror for yourself. Hopefully, we can play our game and get the result we want."
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