Veloso a no-go

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his assistant Carlos Queiroz over the row involving Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, insisting the Reds are not interested in signing him.

Sporting chairman Filipe Soares Franco has accused the United No.2 of unsettling Veloso after reported comments from Queiroz praising the 21-year-old.

Queiroz defended his position, rejecting completely an allegation of being "ethically and morally very low", pointing out that he had never actually said the things Franco was responding to.

Sir Alex has added his backing and believes Franco should retract his comments.

"It is unfortunate the president has said this and it is more unfortunate that he has chosen Carlos as his target," said the United boss at a press conference in Rome.

"Carlos is not in the field of doing these things. His behaviour is impeccable and I feel the president should retract his comments.

"We have a good relationship with Sporting, which we have had for five years. We signed Ronaldo and Nani with no problems so why should we start to tap up a player when we have a good relationship with them.

"We are not interested in him and never have been."