Football: United deny move for Joao Pinto

According to press reports in Portugal, hard-up Benfica are considering selling their international striker, Joao Pinto, to either Manchester United or Rangers.

United's assistant secretary, Ken Ramsden, however, denied that they wanted to sign the 26-year-old, saying "there's absolutely no truth in this story." Rangers had no comment. Benfica are already believed to have received an offer in the region of pounds 11.5m from the Spanish side Deportivo la Coruna.

Doncaster Rovers have parted company with their player-manager, Kerry Dixon. Admin- istrators in charge at the financially troubled Third Division club said that Dixon had agreed to leave by "mutual consent."

Everton's attempt to sign Dean Saunders from Nottingham Forest has failed because the clubs could not agree on a fee. Howard Kendall, Everton's manager, said they were not prepared to meet Forest's asking price of pounds 1m for the 33-year-old striker. Forest have signed Dave Beasant on loan from Southampton - the 38-year-old goalkeeper will make his debut at Oxford United tomorrow.

Blackburn's goalkeeping worries worsened when Michael Watt, who is on loan from Aberdeen, suffered a suspected broken jaw when he collided with a team-mate, Tore Pedersen, in a reserve game on Wednesday. Rovers have just one fit keeper, John Filan.