Ferguson hits back in row over Lyon star

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims that he has attempted to unsettle the Lyon striker Karim Benzema.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims that he has attempted to unsettle the Lyon striker Karim Benzema.

United face the Ligue 1 side in the second leg of their Champions League clash at Old Trafford next week, with the tie finely-poised at 1-1.

Ferguson has been linked with Benzema for several months and spoke highly of the young forward in the build-up to last week's game in France, comments which Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas interpreted as an attempt to "destabilise" the 20-year-old.

Speculation about the issue will continue to mount ahead of next week's game.

But Ferguson has insisted he has done nothing wrong and the Scot said: "When you're asked the question, you give your honest opinion and I said that Juninho is a good player, Jeremy Toulalan is a good player and Hatem Ben Arfa is a good player. It's a bit of mischief I think."

Ferguson will be without Ryan Giggs for Saturday's Premier League appointment at struggling Fulham. The veteran winger suffered a calf injury in training this week and will not be risked ahead of the Champions League clash.

Centreback Nemanja Vidic is set to return after a calf problem of his own, while Ferguson confirmed Gary Neville suffered no ill-effects from his 60-minute run-out in the reserves' 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in midweek.

"I don't think Ryan will make it," he said. "He's got a little bit of a calf strain and with the squad the way it is, we don't need to take a risk and we've got an important European tie next week.

"It's a matter of picking the right team and understanding Fulham's position.

"They're fighting against relegation and that always makes it a difficult task in terms of ensuring we give them the right respect going into the game. We've got options."

Ferguson is pleased with the progress of the goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is continuing his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

The England hopeful has yet to make his debut for Manchester United but is rated highly at Old Trafford and has spoken of his belief he can challenge Edwin van der Sar to be Ferguson's number one next season.

Foster could feature for United's second string against Middlesbrough next Thursday.

Ferguson added: "Ben Foster is ready to play a game and it's just a case of deciding when to do that. We followed the advice of the specialists and he's doing well.

"He's been out for a long period but at his age there's no need to rush him back whereas if it's a player in his 30s that might not be the case.

"It can be hard coming back from a cruciate knee injury and you can't have a day off.

"It's different when you've got a few players injured but that hasn't been the case for us this season."

Ferguson also played down the importance of having an advantage in goal difference over Premiership leaders Arsenal.

He continued: "We're three points behind them so that's how tight the league is. There are some important games coming up and that's what you expect when you've got these teams challenging for the league.

"Obviously it's going to be hard but we've got experience."