Football: United under fire again over FA Cup

ARSENE WENGER yesterday added his voice to those criticising Manchester United's decision to opt out of the FA Cup in favour of the inaugural World Club Championship in Brazil next January. The Arsenal manager's comments followed remarks the previous day by Lennart Johansson, president of football's European governing body, Uefa, casting serious doubt over the long-term participation of European clubs in the world tournament.

Wenger expressed astonishment that United and the Football Association were risking the prestige of the FA Cup for what he termed "a business tournament".

"It's a bad decision," Wenger said. "The FA Cup is famous worldwide and for a club like Manchester United to be out of the competition is just untrue. There is no impasse. They could have played on 30 or 31 December and had a replay on 18 January, or they could have been pushed straight through to the fifth round.

"To go to play a business tournament that nobody knows about and to be out of the FA Cup is just unbelievable. I'd love to be in the same situation as them and to play in the FA Cup.

"It's difficult to defend a competition when the team that was so successful in it last season is not in it any more. And what for? A tournament in Brazil that nobody knows about."

United's visit to Brazil is seen in FA circles as crucial to England's hopes of staging the 2006 World Cup. Fifa, the world governing body, also hopes it will help establish the world tournament in the calendar.

However, Johansson poured cold water on that notion by suggesting that European clubs might not participate in the new competition if it were to take place again. "We have to listen to our clubs," he said. "This once, we are going to Brazil out of loyalty to the football family, but we cannot guarantee participation in the future."

n It was reported last night that the Irish racing and bookmaking entrepreneur JP McManus has made an attempt to aquire part of Martin Edwards' shareholding in Manchester United. The bid, which is also backed by Joe Lewis, the part-owner of Rangers, has been rebuffed by the Old Trafford club. "We're not prepared to comment on the speculation," said the club.

n Lobbyists in lurch, page 25 United mystery bid, page 18

Heroin addict, page 5