United dismiss Ravanelli bid

FABRIZIO RAVANELLI, the Middlesbrough striker, said yesterday that Manchester United wish to sign him in a deal believed to be worth £20 million. However, Martin Edwards, United's chief executive, dismissed the bid, saying: "It's absolute nonsense."

Edwards went on: "There is no foundation in these stories whatsoever. There has been no discussions with Middlesbrough and it came as a complete shock to get calls about them tonight."

But Ravanelli, speaking from the Italian team training camp at Coverciano, near Florence, where he is preparing for Italy's opening World Cup qualifier away to Moldova on Saturday, admitted that United were interested in signing him.

He said: "We'll see what happens when I go back to England and when the Middlesbrough directors and team return from a tour they're on at the moment in Thailand. The idea is attractive, Manchester United are a more representative, more ambitious side, whereas Middlesbrough are a bit like Parma were four or five years ago. In other words, they have a long-term programme.

"Still, if you've won as much as I have, then it's not easy to find yourself struggling to win a UFFA Cup qualifying place, even if that is an interesting challenge in itself."

Ravanelli made his remarks in response to questions about weekend Italian sports media reports suggesting that Manchester United might be interested in signing him. The offer is believed to be worth approximately £20 million, divided between a £10 million transfer and a £10 million four-year contract for the player.

Talking to reporters, Ravanelli went on to paint a positive picture of his initial impact with English soccer.

"I miss my parents a bit, but I'm well. There's less stress. When we finish training sessions, there aren't a lot of journalists waiting for you. Above all, people have a different attitude. Fans sing chants in favour of you, not against you while when you're doing your warm-up at an away match, they applaud you and ask you for your autograph ... On the pitch, the game is tough but fair."

An enthusiastic Ravanelli went on to express his delight at having received a call-up from Italian coach, Arrigo Sacchi.

Reliable reports suggest that he spent much time last week ringing round friends in Italy trying to find out if he still formed part of Sacchi's plans.

Neither Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson nor chief executive Keith Lamb were available for comment.

Johan Neeskens, the former Holland midfielder, has been appointed assistant coach to the Dutch national team on a two-year contract. Neeskens, who played in the final of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. taken up his new post ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.