Manchester United fans are fighting on in a bid to save the FA Cup. The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) are calling on Sports Minister Tony Banks to broker an alternative solution which will enable the club to compete in the Cup.

Reds fans are furious that the Treble winners will not defend the trophy after they withdrew to compete in the inaugural FIFA World Team Championship in Brazil.

IMUSA chairman Andy Walsh claimed Banks should try to find an alternative solution involving the Football Association, Premier League and Football League.

"The Government has been putting unbelievable pressure on Manchester United and it's now the responsibility of the Government to broker some sort of solution to this," he said.

So far Banks is unmoved by IMUSA's appeal and a spokeswoman for the minister said: "He does not feel there's anything more to add to what he has said already."

IMUSA, though, are not going to give up and they have enlisted the help of Worsley MP Terry Lewis, who is tabling an Early-Day Motion calling for a review of the decision.

IMUSA will attempt to persuade FA interim executive director David Davies to think again when they meet today.

However, the FA is standing firm - even though FIFA claims the World Team Championship and the race to stage the 2006 World Cup are two separate issues.

Sir Bobby Charlton, who is president of England's World Cup 2006 bid, later claimed that former boss Sir Matt Busby would have backed United's decision to go to Brazil.