Newslines: Ferguson United's goal

Manchester United will continue their efforts to persuade Alex Ferguson to stay at Old Trafford beyond 2002 even though he claims he is determined to leave.

Chief executive designate Peter Kenyon stressed his wish for Ferguson to stay in some capacity beyond 2002 when it was announced that he would be taking over from Martin Edwards.

Kenyon insists that this is still his goal even though Ferguson claims the club have missed their chance to keep him because they did not act sooner.

"When asked the question yesterday did I want him to stay, what I said was an obvious statement to make - he's our most successful manager and I want him to stay," said Kenyon. "Two years is a long time and, as I said, we really want him to stay."

Ferguson's relationship with Edwards has deteriorated during the last decade, while he gets on much better with Kenyon.

The automatic right of a British representative to be one of seven FIFA vice-presidents will be challenged at next month's annual congress in Zurich.

The post, currently held by Scotland's David Will, has attracted a growing amount of resentment in recent years. Many associations see the position as outdated in the modern football world.

Swedish winger Niclas Alexandersson admitted yesterday that he cannot wait to play in the same side as Paul Gascoigne.

Everton are due to complete the £2.5 million recruitment of Alexandersson from Sheffield Wednesday today before he jets out to join his new team-mates at their Italian training camp.

Wolves have accepted Leicester's £5 million bid for striker Ade Akinbiyi. The move will now go ahead if Akinbiyi, currently on a pre-season tour with Wolves in Ireland, can agree terms with Leicester.

Mark Draper has completed his £1.25 million switch from Aston Villa to Southampton after passing a medical at the Dell. Draper (29) signed a four-year contract.

Former Everton defender Derek Mountfield was last night was named as the new manager of Cork City. Mountfield agreed a two-year deal and takes up the position with tonight's friendly against Wolves at Turner's Cross. Liam Murphy, number two to Dave Barry, will be Mountfield's assistant manager.