Sergio Aguero Is Better Suited To Chelsea Than Manchester City

Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Denies Delivering Contract Ultimatum To Inter Midfielder Wesley Sneijder

Red Devils boss denies having said anything concerning a potential move for the Dutchman, and praises Tom Cleverley and David De Gea after a friendly victory over Barcelona

Mahmoud maher

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied that he delivered an ultimatum to Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The Serie A club's chief executive Ernesto Paolillo then hinted that the Dutchman could be sold, for the right price.

It was subsequently suggested that United may have put forward an offer to the midfielder.

"If he wants to come he must accept our contract offer," Sir Alex is quoted by The Mail on Sunday as saying.

"If not, we have other options in mind. We’re done talking."

However, the veteran boss has denied having made such remarks, and insists that there has been no progress on the Sneijder situation.

"Absolute nonsense," he said. "I have never discussed him. There is nothing new."

The Red Devils have, though, been reportedly on the lookout for a replacement to fill the void left by midfielder Paul Scholes, who hung up his boots at the end of last season.

But the ex-Manchester United man insists that, should Carlos Tevez stay at the club, the pair can forge a 'sensational' partnership

"It is an area we have to find a solution for," said Sir Alex.

"That is why we played Tom Cleverley today. Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game.

"He is a good footballer and was our best player today.

"His discipline was terrific. He is a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes.

"It was a big night for him. He is a big, strong possibility for us to start the season."

The Red Devils' boss also maintained that he had made the right decision by signing young goalkeeper David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar - who has retired from professional football.

"Replacing Edwin van der Sar is very difficult," said the Scot. "He was a great goalkeeper.

"But the benefit we have with De Gea is that he is only 20.

"The qualities that stood out for us are his great composure and use of the ball.

"He is quick and agile, which is something we banked on.

"When we assessed him I thought he was the right goalkeeper to take."

Sir Alex also revealed that striker Javier Hernandez has been cleared to fly back to England, having previously suffered a concussion in training after returning from international duty to join his club-mates on the pre-season tour of the USA.

"Javier is coming back with us," the manager said.

"He is fine. He won't play for a couple of weeks but that would have been the case anyway.

"He was always going to need a break until he got his fitness back.

"He will do some training, then we will have him back in three to four weeks."

David Beckham credits his career to Sir Alex Ferguson for giving him his start at Manchester United

David Beckham, MLS All-Star Game 2011 (Getty Images)

HARRISON, N.J. - With hindsight, it seems obvious. Of course a coach should hand David Beckham – world superstar, veteran of over 100 caps for his national team, perhaps the best striker of a dead ball on the globe – his debut.

But Beckham remembers when he was a fresh-faced teenager, and recalls the bravery it took for Sir Alex Ferguson to trust his youth team to supply the next cycle of players for Manchester United's first team.

Even after a falling out with Ferguson and a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid nearly a decade ago, he's still grateful for what his first coach gave him.

“I had many years, many successful years playing under Sir Alex Ferguson,” Beckham said. “I wouldn't be in the position I am today if it wasn't for him, because he gave me a chance when I was 16, 17 years old and he had the faith to give youngsters a chance. I owe him a lot. He was a father figure to me for many years.”

The English midfielder completed 90 minutes against his old club Manchester United on Wednesday night as part of the MLS All-Star team. In addition to his fan allegiance to the reigning English champion, the shared history made it an emotional venture for the 36-year-old midfielder.

“Obviously, to play against Manchester United still with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, still with some of the players I played with and the fans I played in front of for many years, is emotional,” Beckham said. “It's always going to be emotional coming up against Manchester United. It's always difficult as well.”

MLS quickly learned just how difficult playing the Red Devils can be. Two goals against the run of play in the first half paved the way for a comprehensive 4-0 win to the team still in preseason preparations.

Beckham wasn't surprised at the gap in the scoreline.

“If you play at that level you don't stop at one-, two-nil,” the midfielder said. “You want to work hard because you want to get your fitness. You're not playing at a club like Manchester United to go through the motions and just to win 1-0.”

That competitive mentality saw Man United win the Premier League season with perhaps a more functional than glitzy roster. It's the same sort of mentality the side used to win the 1999 treble, Beckham claims, and it starts in the youth teams.

“Any new player who comes into Manchester United, they feel that straight away,” the LA Galaxy Designated Player said. “That seems installed into you from a very young age as a Manchester United youth team player and it carries on all the way through the team. It's [a] never-say-die attitude, is what Manchester United have.”