Ferguson blames it on Rio - sort of

SOCCER/Everton v Manchester Utd: Alex Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime last night when he effectively accused Rio Ferdinand of letting down Manchester United and, making no attempt to disguise his disappointment, confirmed there would be "lingering suspicions and doubts" until the England defender proved he had no interest in signing for Chelsea by agreeing a new contract.

Ferguson stopped short of outright criticism of Ferdinand but accepted there were holes in the defender's version of events. He said he had been "bemused" to learn Ferdinand and his agent Pini Zahavi had not only met Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon in London two Saturdays ago but that, contrary to the defender's statement it had been a "brief hello," they had gone to a second restaurant where they had spent three hours together.

"It's so obvious now that it wasn't as frivolous a meeting as it was made out," said Ferguson.

Although United have opted against reporting Chelsea to the Premier League, Ferguson is convinced the meeting was set up deliberately because Chelsea want to entice Ferdinand to Stamford Bridge. "It doesn't reflect well on us as a football club," he said of Ferdinand's part in the controversy. "The players at this club know how well treated they are. So it doesn't sit well with us.

"The best thing Rio can do now is sign his new contract. We had a meeting on Friday with him and his agent and I was pleased with how it went, but they said it would take four or five days and we're approaching that now. Rio says he wants to sign and we've offered him a nice deal (reputedly £110,000 a week) so hopefully it will be done this week . . . It would take away any lingering suspicions and doubts about the whole thing."

Ferguson had accused Kenyon of treating United "with contempt" even before he learned his former colleague - a man privy to the finest details of Ferdinand's current contract - not only dined with the 26-year-old at an Italian restaurant but went on to a Greek restaurant. Chelsea say it was an "innocent" night out.

"It's for Chelsea to answer now. I should imagine the Premier League are well aware of it by now and will be as concerned as we are. David Gill (United's chief executive) is abroad at the moment so we haven't had a meeting about it since Sunday, but once is he is back we will be having one," said Ferguson.

The Scot is hoping United's FA Cup semi-final goal rush against Newcastle United can help them secure an automatic place in next season's Champions League. United's Premiership campaign has been undermined by failure in front of goal. Heading into tonight's trip to Everton, the Old Trafford outfit have scored just 48 goals and are on the verge of recording their worst seasonal total since 1990.

Despite spending £65 million on strikers alone, Ferguson has not seen any of his players reach double figures in the league. United have mustered just one goal in their last four Premiership outings so it is little wonder they have fallen 14 points adrift of champions-elect Chelsea.

Ferguson has long since conceded the title to Stamford Bridge and is targeting second spot and qualification for the Champions League. United are three points behind Arsenal in that particular battle, and with an inferior goal difference.

Ferguson feels it will take six successive victories to overhaul Arsenal, who travel to Chelsea tonight. United still have to face Jose Mourinho's side too, although by the time that May 10th confrontation comes round the Londoners will expect to have their first title in 50 years wrapped up. To be in contention for second spot, United must win at Goodison Park.

Changes from Sunday are expected though, with Darren Fletcher a candidate for his first start since injuring his knee two months ago. Roy Keane may be rested, although Wes Brown is likely to keep his place in central defence after Ferguson surprisingly preferred him to Mikael Silvestre against Newcastle.

The phrase "Champions League" barely passes the lips of Everton boss David Moyes as he stands on the brink of what will clearly be the finest managerial achievement of his career. He does not want to pile even greater pressure on his squad as they face a tough five-match run-in, starting with Manchester United next at Goodison Park. Everton will be without Alan Stubbs (shoulder) and Alessandro Pistone (hamstring) while Naysmith is a doubt with an ankle problem.