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Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Denies Delivering Contract Ultimatum To Inter Midfielder Wesley Sneijder

Red Devils boss denies having said anything concerning a potential move for the Dutchman, and praises Tom Cleverley and David De Gea after a friendly victory over Barcelona

Mahmoud maher

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied that he delivered an ultimatum to Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The Serie A club's chief executive Ernesto Paolillo then hinted that the Dutchman could be sold, for the right price.

It was subsequently suggested that United may have put forward an offer to the midfielder.

"If he wants to come he must accept our contract offer," Sir Alex is quoted by The Mail on Sunday as saying.

"If not, we have other options in mind. We’re done talking."

However, the veteran boss has denied having made such remarks, and insists that there has been no progress on the Sneijder situation.

"Absolute nonsense," he said. "I have never discussed him. There is nothing new."

The Red Devils have, though, been reportedly on the lookout for a replacement to fill the void left by midfielder Paul Scholes, who hung up his boots at the end of last season.

But the ex-Manchester United man insists that, should Carlos Tevez stay at the club, the pair can forge a 'sensational' partnership

"It is an area we have to find a solution for," said Sir Alex.

"That is why we played Tom Cleverley today. Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game.

"He is a good footballer and was our best player today.

"His discipline was terrific. He is a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes.

"It was a big night for him. He is a big, strong possibility for us to start the season."

The Red Devils' boss also maintained that he had made the right decision by signing young goalkeeper David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar - who has retired from professional football.

"Replacing Edwin van der Sar is very difficult," said the Scot. "He was a great goalkeeper.

"But the benefit we have with De Gea is that he is only 20.

"The qualities that stood out for us are his great composure and use of the ball.

"He is quick and agile, which is something we banked on.

"When we assessed him I thought he was the right goalkeeper to take."

Sir Alex also revealed that striker Javier Hernandez has been cleared to fly back to England, having previously suffered a concussion in training after returning from international duty to join his club-mates on the pre-season tour of the USA.

"Javier is coming back with us," the manager said.

"He is fine. He won't play for a couple of weeks but that would have been the case anyway.

"He was always going to need a break until he got his fitness back.

"He will do some training, then we will have him back in three to four weeks."