Ferguson rejects claims of Cup deal

Alex Ferguson yesterday spoke of his sadness at not being able to defend the FA Cup next season.

The Manchester United manager, who claimed on Friday the Treble winners would consider any sensible plan for the club to re-enter the competition, appeared to rule out any change of mind.

Fixture congestion, and the FA's eagerness that United take part in FIFA's new World Club Championship in Brazil next January so as not to harm England's 2006 World Cup bid, prompted the club to decide not to defend the FA Cup.

And Ferguson, celebrating his Testimonial day at Haydock Park racecourse, was resigned to being unable to defend the trophy.

He said: "It is unfortunate. There are a lot of people with theories and points to make about it but your players can only play so many games, and that's the nuts and bolts of it.

"If there was a way we could have done it, we would have loved to have done it because the FA Cup is dear to me.

"It was my first trophy (with United), I dearly would have loved to be in it again to defend it but unfortunately that will not be the case," he said.

United spokesman Ken Ramsden also rejected fresh claims that a new deal had been reached between the club and the FA, whereby United would defend their trophy and pull out of the Worthington Cup.

Ramsden said: "I have spoken with chairman Martin Edwards and, as far as we are concerned, there are no plans for us to return to the FA Cup competition.

"I know the idea of us pulling out of the Worthington Cup has been put forward to give us the possibility of returning to the competition but, so far, no further discussions have been held with the FA.

"Myself and other United officials are aware of the speculation surrounding this issue but there has certainly been no definite solution, nor any further progress."

The claims were also dismissed by FA spokesman Adrian Bevington, who said: "We made our position fully clear following the announcement at Old Trafford. We've explored every avenue possible with Manchester United and ultimately that's why the decision was reached."

And a Football League spokesman insisted that United were committed to playing in the Worthington Cup.

Cabinet minister Chris Smith, whose responsibilities include sport, had fanned the flames by again calling for a compromise deal to be arranged to allow United to play in both competitions.

"I very much hope that some way can be found for Manchester United to do both," he said.

"Both are actually very important. The Brazil match is important for Manchester United as a world class team and also of course for our 2006 chances of England hosting the World Cup."

Meanwhile, Juventus' Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids has spoken of his wish to join United.

"I have loved United since I was a kid but what they have done in the last eight years has made me respect them even more. That's why I would love to play for a side like United."

United are to fly out on their tour of Australia today, and promoters of the trip have dropped a threat to fine them half their £1.6-million if David Beckham and Ferguson stay at home.

Rivkin Entertainment have now accepted Ferguson will not be attending the matches on Thursday in Melbourne and Sunday week in Sydney but insisted Beckham should tour subject to a fitness test.

The company's managing director Dominic Galati said: "United told us that Beckham is still recovering from a hamstring injury and even if he did come out he wouldn't be playing in the first game.

"They say if he's coming he'll only play in the second match or he'll be on the bench. They're trying to do the right thing, they don't want to let the fans down."

The Rivkin statement said the company expected the club to make Beckham tour if he passes a test "as soon as practicable in Manchester."

"Following our most recent discussions with Manchester United we are satisfied with the composition of the travelling party and the explanations they provided for the missing personnel.

"The circumstances surrounding the absence of some (including) Alex Ferguson are unfortunate but consistent with the operations of a very successful team."

Gary Neville, who was Beckham's best man at the midfielder's recent wedding, revealed he would also miss the trip Down Under. The England defender was plagued by a hip injury during the second half of last season.

"I'm not actually going, I have got a little bit of an injury," he said.