Ferguson stonewalls Blatter chat

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Blatter's sentiment, one with which the Portugal international agreed, caused more stir in the summer of tension between the Spanish club and the Champions League holders.

After watching United beat his former club Aberdeen 2-0 in a pre-season challenge at Pittodrie, Ferguson was asked if he had any comment to make on Blatter but the Scotsman replied curtly: "No, we're here to talk about football."

Ferguson was more forthcoming on the subject of his former number two Carlos Queiroz who was last week named as the new head coach of Portugal.

United coaches Mike Phelan, Brian McClair, Rene Meulensteen are in the frame for the post but Ferguson insists the English champions would be in no rush to name a replacement.

He said: "You take your time with these things, there is no hurry. We have got good staff and we will carry on, we've always done that.

"It's always disappointing to lose good men and he was a good man.

"He was honest and very loyal to me and a good coach. He brought a lot of initiatives that we now carry on.

"He has taken a challenge on that people do, if they have that patriotic passion and the nationalist fervour to go and manage their country. He's got that.

"I knew when Portugal came for him that it would be very difficult for us."