Ferguson rumours denied

Martin Edwards, the Manchester United chairman, has dismissed speculation that Internazionale are planning to swoop for Alex Ferguson.

Reports claimed that the Inter chairman, Massimo Moratti, had lined up Ferguson as the man to bring back the glory days for the club, who found themselves at the wrong end of Italy's Serie A for much of this season.

Moratti is already poised to complete the pounds 8m signing of the United midfielder, Paul Ince, and it was claimed that he had decided Ferguson could also be enticed away from Old Trafford to replace Ottavio Bianchi for a salary of around pounds 1m per year.

"I spent a couple of days with Inter representatives negotiating the Ince deal and nothing was mentioned regarding Ferguson at all," Edwards said. "If there was something in the air it would surely have been mentioned then.

"The last thing we do at this football club is comment on speculation and rumours. Irrespective of that, Ferguson is under contract and I don't think it's an issue. I am also not expecting an approach of any nature."