London, Mar 10 (ANI): Sir Alex Ferguson substituted political correctness for sexism, when he joked that a woman colleague had been "dragged out of the kitchen" to speak to reporters.

The Man United manager made the "gag" about senior press officer Karen Shotbolt after she told waiting journalists to have a "Happy International Women's Day," the Sun reported.

"She has dragged herself out of the kitchen," before laughing. Then he added: "You asked for that."

Shotbolt, 43, laughed off the awkward one-liner.

She said that it was just a joke.

It is not the first time the footie boss has landed in hot water for sexism.

Two years ago it emerged that he rejected an unnamed 20-year-old physio for work placement in 1994 because she was a woman. (ANI)