Kim Nielsen has branded Diego Simeone a "sissy" after the Argentinian claimed he conned the referee into sending off David Beckham.

Nielsen insisted he dismissed the England midfielder during the World Cup clash regardless of Simeone's over-reaction to the kick.

The Danish official also criticised Simeone for making his confession on the eve of United's match with Inter.

"This proves that Simeone is a sissy," said Nielsen. "He's a man without honour when he says what he has said the day before this big game at Old Trafford.

"He's just trying to score cheap points before he has to stand face to face with David Beckham and 55,000 angry people.

"He knows they will all be on his back and so it's easy for him to blame a third person, mainly me.

"According to the football rules I had to send Beckham off. It does not matter at all how hard or soft Simeone fell - he was hit and because of the intent to kick another person, I had to punish Beckham."

Alex Ferguson is also unhappy with Simeone's antics and hopes tonight's referee, Hellmut Krug, can handle him.

"It's disappointing that a professional of his standard is reacting to another professional like that," he said.

"We would rather just play the game and the referee is there to sort out any problems with Simeone on the field."

Despite the huge pressure on Beckham, Ferguson is confident he will come through. "The pleasing aspect for me in the last few weeks is that David Beckham is right back to his best form. He's been playing exceptionally well," said Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Inter coach Mircea Lucescu attempted to pour cold water over any lingering feud .

"There was no naughtiness . . . I don't understand why so much is being made of this. It's not just between Diego and Beckham. This is a match between United and Inter. That was a game between Argentina and England.

"All the world is looking at this match. It is the most important in this competition and we want to give it a valid image."

Inter defender Guiseppe Bergomi hinted that the Italians would, typically, rely on a tight defence. Not that Bergomi reckons Italian football is predictable. "It is English football which is always the same, you know what to expect. Italian football always has something new," he said.