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Although this article is about taking timekeeping out of the refs hands, note the last sentence in the article: "Last season, United matches were 74 seconds longer on average when they were losing compared with when they were winning." - Interesting. Lazie/Jangle, what unu have to say about that? 
Ferguson is right... It's time football had a rethink
Often it is a diversionary tactic. However, the United manager's follow-up comments are worthy of examination. He suggested that timekeeping should be taken out of the hands of the referee, saying that leaving it with the official 'is a flaw in the game'. At the top level of the game, I know a lot of referees would be quite happy to have timekeeping taken over by an official in the stand and, like rugby union and rugby league, a hooter signal to call time, with the game ending at the next natural stop in play. I would go even further.
As well as introducing an independent timekeeper, we should establish a set amount of time the ball must be in play rather than time elapsed as currently happens. The time the ball is in play is recorded in all top-level football and used to compile possession statistics. The statistics for Champions League games show the ball is often in play for less than 25 minutes a half. Why not forget the 45 minutes each half and replace it with 30 minutes ball-in-play time? This would mean players trying to waste time would gain nothing because the clock isn't running until the ball is back in play. Delaying tactics would be redundant. And, above all, referees could leave the field without being harangued about timekeeping!
Ferguson is right... It's time football had a rethink
By GRAHAM POLL
PUBLISHED: 16:30 EST, 30 September 2012 | UPDATED: 16:44 EST, 30 September 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Chris Foy's decision to add only four minutes on to the end of the second half at Old Trafford was 'an insult to the game'. I put Ferguson's comment down to nothing more than sour grapes, particularly as I felt the time added on was about right. It's not unusual for a losing manager to blame a referee for defeat.
'Fergie time': United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called for a rethink in the way stoppage time is calculated
Often it is a diversionary tactic. However, the United manager's follow-up comments are worthy of examination. He suggested that timekeeping should be taken out of the hands of the referee, saying that leaving it with the official 'is a flaw in the game'. At the top level of the game, I know a lot of referees would be quite happy to have timekeeping taken over by an official in the stand and, like rugby union and rugby league, a hooter signal to call time, with the game ending at the next natural stop in play. I would go even further.
Comeback on: United battled their way back into the game through Nani and Shinji Kagaway (right)
As well as introducing an independent timekeeper, we should establish a set amount of time the ball must be in play rather than time elapsed as currently happens. The time the ball is in play is recorded in all top-level football and used to compile possession statistics. The statistics for Champions League games show the ball is often in play for less than 25 minutes a half. Why not forget the 45 minutes each half and replace it with 30 minutes ball-in-play time? This would mean players trying to waste time would gain nothing because the clock isn't running until the ball is back in play. Delaying tactics would be redundant. And, above all, referees could leave the field without being harangued about timekeeping!
PS No wonder United want as much 'Fergie time' as possible, particularly as they have a good record of late winners. Last season, United matches were 74 seconds longer on average when they were losing compared with when they were winning.
The winners are... Tottenham held on to snatch a 3-2 victory over Ferguson's men