Fergie left flummoxed by Howard deal furore

United have been irritated by claims from the Premier League that it knew nothing about a gentleman's agreement between United and Everton when Howard's loan deal was made permanent in February.

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The clubs decided the U.S. goalkeeper would not play when they met at Goodison Park last month.

While United acknowledge that the governing body rejected such a clause in the transfer draft approved by both clubs, they believe Premier League chairman Dave Richards was well aware of the informal agreement.

After taking the rare step of putting out a statement to clarify their position on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson went one further when questioned about the issue.

"We addressed that with the Premier League at the time, although someone there said they knew nothing about it," insisted the United boss. "I think there are a few porkies being told there."

Ferguson also claimed it was Everton and Howard — not United — who benefited from a permanent move being pushed through.

"The boy wanted to have a long-term future, and Everton knew there were other clubs interested," he said.

"Therefore we were left in the dilemma to leave the loan until the end of the season or agree to the boy's wishes to get a permanent deal with Everton.

"They can take the three points off us if they like!"

But chief executive Richard Scudamore admitted on Friday the Premier League will fine tune the rule book this summer to prevent the same situation arising again.

With the Premiership title secured and the trophy set to be presented by surviving members of United's 1956 championship winning team on Sunday, Ferguson can afford to joke about docking points.

But it remains a sore point for the clubs threatened with relegation following a West Ham revival inspired by Carlos Tevez.

The Argentina striker will attempt to earn Alan Curbishley's side the point they need to stay up at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But Sir Alex confirmed that United turned down the chance to sign Tevez and Javier Mascherano in the summer, although it is unclear whether a factor in their decision was businessman Kia Joorabchian's controversial partownership of the players.

"I think Tevez and Mascherano were offered to everyone," said Ferguson. "We weren't sure of the deal."

The Scot is determined to be fair to the other relegation rivals — Sheffield United and Wigan, who meet at Bramall Lane — by picking a strong United side.

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo may start on the bench, but Ferguson promised: "The English game is 100 per cent honest and teams will do their best. That's what we will do."

Ferguson revealed that captain Gary Neville has recovered from injured ankle ligaments to lead his team in next Saturday's FA Cup Final.

But Louis Saha is almost certainly out after suffering a fresh knee injury, which will require surgery, before last week's Manchester derby.

It caps a miserable season for the France striker, but Saha insists he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford despite seeing United linked with a move for Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o. "I love this club and I don't want to leave," he said.