Ferguson diverting gaze from Cantona

MANCHESTER UNITED and Selhurst Park, it seems, come together and make a volatile concoction. On the first return to the ground where Eric Cantona performed English football's most infamous scissors kick trouble could be brewing again.

Attention was expected to fall today on the Frenchman, who leads United's attempt to overhaul Premiership leaders Newcastle against Wimbledon, just over a year since he assaulted a Selhurst Park spectator. Instead his manager, Alex Ferguson, is threatening to divert the media's gaze away from the pitch.

There were suggestions that the club were stalling negotiations over a contract to supplement the current one with Ferguson which ends next year and he did nothing to deny them, despite placatory noises from within Old Trafford. "I approached the club last summer, he said, "and the matter was put back to January. Now I don't know what's happening. In a perfect world I would like to spend the rest of my career at Old Trafford, but I can't stay without a contract."

Asked whether it was "an issue" he replied: "That depends what you call an issue. You can never be sure in football. I've made the point that I hope to stay here for a long time, we just have to wait and see what the club wants."

Ferguson was also adamant that United will have their own security presence today despite warnings from Selhurst Park that Ned Kelly, who has acted as "Cantona's minder" in away matches since his return from suspension on October 1st, would not he allowed in the players tunnel.

"Ned Kelly is part of the official party, they can't stop him, he said. "If we choose to have him on the bench it's our decision. It's been the norm for us to have him there this season."

All of which overshadowed United's preparations for a match they need to win if they are to cause Newcastle United the slightest concern. The runaway Premiership leaders entertain Sheffield Wednesday today without the suspended David Ginola and Darren Peacock but seemingly oblivious to tension.

"Pressure is when you are down at the bottom fighting relegation," Robert Lee, their England midfield player, said, "not when you're nine points clear with a game in hand. I can't see why we can't extend our lead."

There will be less pressure at Southampton today, too, on Duncan Ferguson who will be playing in Everton's colours for the first time without the threat of a suspension or a jail sentence to divert his thoughts. A judge this week upheld his appeal against serving the remaining games of a 12 match suspension for butting an opponent.

"It's been hanging over his head and we are delighted," Joe Royle, his manager, said. "We don't want to say too much more apart from that because the thing has dragged on for so long."

Liverpool, who along with Everton, were given the freedom of their city this week, will hope their strikers, Stan Collymore and Robbie Fowler have equal liberty in the Tottenham penalty area.

Having faced the toughest defence in the Premiership, Aston Villa, they now take on the team with the best away record and their manager Roy Evans has pinpointing John Barnes, rather than his prolific strikers, as the key element in the club's move to second spot. "He gets our other players going even if he's not having the best of games himself. His influence in the team isn't noticed or appreciated enough by people outside Liverpool."

. Nigerian striker Finidi George is to become the latest young star of Ajax Amsterdam's European Cup winning squad to head for Italy, in a four year deal with Juventus. Juventus president Roberto Bettega is expected to agree a $5 million deal within days.

Four other members of the Ajax squad are also set to join the Italian Serie A, with AC Milan reportedly having swooped last month for Patrick Kluivert (19), Edgar Davids (22) and Michael Reiziger (22). On Wednesday, the Gazzetto dello Sport claimed Inter Milan have snapped Lip Ajax's other Nigerian striker, Nwankwo Kanu.