Alex Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime by criticising one of his own players last night as it emerged Manchester United would reluctantly put Wes Brown up for sale in the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old England defender has turned down a new contract and will be a free agent next summer, leaving the club with little alternative but to seek a cut-price deal rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Although Ferguson has not given up hope of persuading Brown to change his mind, the defender has indicated he will leave unless the club significantly improve their contract offer. He is one of the lowest-paid players at Old Trafford, earning a weekly salary of £15,000, and his representatives have asked for a three-fold increase.

United's directors have refused to meet his requirements, mainly because of concerns about his susceptibility to injury. The two sides are described as being "poles apart" and Ferguson is bracing himself to lose the player he regards as "the best natural defender in the country".

"We've made the boy an offer and he's turned it down," said Ferguson. "It's his decision. He can please himself - there are no more talks planned that I'm aware of. We'd like to avoid the situation where he leaves on a free transfer. If he wants to stay we would love that. But if he wants to look elsewhere that's up to him - there's nothing you can do with modern-day footballers."

To Ferguson's irritation, Brown is no longer represented by Michael Kennedy, who has close links with the United hierarchy. Instead, Brown has been recruited by Paul Martin of SFX, the same company that negotiated David Beckham's departure from Old Trafford.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has said Michael Owen risks being replaced by Jermain Defoe for England's World Cup qualifier against Wales next Saturday.

Eriksson, who names his squad tomorrow, still seems likely to keep faith with Owen for the game at Old Trafford, noting he "has always been the man for the big games".

But the vice-captain's plight is an unwelcome development for the manager. Owen has begun only one game for Real Madrid since his move from Liverpool.

"I have been thinking about his situation because he has been sitting on the bench a lot," said Eriksson, "but I will not decide until we have our practice sessions." Eriksson added: "At some point, if I have a player sitting on the bench who is better than one who normally plays, then I will have no doubt about what to do. It is not as if I have favourites."

Arsene Wenger has said Wednesday's row between Patrick Vieira and Lauren proves Arsenal still burn with desire to reach new heights.

Media reports said Vieira and the Cameroon defender were separated by Norwegian police after a furious argument almost came to blows on the team bus following a 1-1 Champions League draw with Rosenborg in Trondheim. But Wenger ruled out any action against either player and applauded their attitude instead.

"The police over-reacted. There was a professional disagreement on the bus, which wasn't about the goal, but it shows that the players care about what matters to them, which is winning games."

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ferencvaros after fans of the Budapest club threw missiles and shouted racist abuse during Thursday's UEFA Cup first round second-leg victory against Millwall.

Two Millwall supporters who were stabbed in disturbances before the match are in a stable condition. Millwall's chairman Theo Paphitis, who has visited the two men in hospital, said he would make his feelings known to UEFA.

"I have serious concerns about a number of issues surrounding this tie, including the provocation our supporters were subjected to inside the ground," he said. "Missiles were being thrown at us, our players were subjected to racial abuse and there was a lack of security."

Two of the nine Britons arrested following the skirmishes were yesterday given suspended sentences and expelled from the country after being found guilty of disorderly conduct and criminal damage. Banik Ostrava have also been charged by UEFA after inadequate segregation led to fighting in the stands during their 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.