Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has strongly criticised the proposed new drug testing procedures which he believes will cause Premier League clubs a major logistical headache. Football is now moving into line with most other Olympic sports by introducing random testing, meaning players have to state their whereabouts for one hour every day of the week.

On the face of it, the request does not seem much to ask of highly-paid sportsmen to ensure they are free from the kind of allegations that athletes and cyclists competing in the Tour de France are routinely subjected to. But Ferguson feels the logistics are tough to incorporate into football's ever-changing world. "It is becoming a real nuisance," he said. "You have to notify the FA where that player will be for one hour that day so if they want to test them or see them, they know the address.

"There are some occasions where you look at your team and think 'maybe I will give them this day off'. We then have to start notifying the FA that the players are not in training and give them addresses where they might be. That player might be sitting in the house and decide to go shopping. They might even forget."

For United, the implications of missed tests have particular significance given the eight-month ban Rio Ferdinand served in 2004. Ferdinand claimed he had 'forgotten' about the test and had gone shopping instead, but it was later revealed that he had been at United's Carrington training ground at the time. Ferdinand's views on the proposals are at odds with those of Ferguson. The central defender gave his backing to the 'whereabouts' policy. "If it brings us up to the level of other sportsmen then I'm in favour," he said. "A lot of players are tested three or four times a season, so it would be no different to what we are used to."

Olympic gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu successfully fought her suspension for three absences under the 'whereabouts' rule, allowing her to compete at the Beijing Olympics. Many pundits feel Ohuruogu was extremely fortunate, claiming there was no excuse for her absence. But Ferguson believes otherwise.

"What if Ronaldo or Nani want to go back to Portugal for a day," he questioned. "It is very difficult. It goes without saying we want to keep drugs out of our game but this scheme will cost the FA a fortune and the implementation will be very difficult."