Alex Ferguson's attempts to pressure Rio Ferdinand into signing a new contract at Manchester United continued last night when he said the defender had been offered a financial package far more lucrative than his own.
Ferdinand has yet to commit despite the offer of £30 million over the next five years, which would make him the highest-paid player in England, and his public claims of allegiance to United have cut no ice with an exasperated Ferguson.
"We've got 35,000 fans going to Cardiff for the FA Cup final wondering whether Rio Ferdinand is committed to the club," said the United manager. "We're not going to be messed around on this. Rio needs to make a decision one way or the other."
Ferguson's anger has not only been exacerbated by Ferdinand's dinner dates with Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon in London but also because the 26-year-old is quibbling over a 70 per cent pay hike while the club's supporters are a facing 24 per cent increase in season ticket prices.
"I don't know what his problem is. It's a great offer that has been made to Rio - I certainly wish I was offered it," said Ferguson.
"Rio's agent (Pini Zahavi) is out of the country, but when he gets back we want a decision. We have shown great faith and loyalty and it would be nice to get some back."
Ferdinand acknowledges the growing frustration both inside and outside Old Trafford at the failure to conclude a deal. But he insists the delay is purely part of the negotiating process and he remains totally committed to United.
"I want to stay at Manchester United," he declared. "I have said that from the beginning. I can understand the fans' frustrations, but people have to understand contract negotiations do not happen over one or two days. They can take time and this is one of those situations. My agent is out of the country, which has slowed things down a touch, but hopefully they will be speeded up in the coming days. I am happy at Manchester United and I want to sign, but these things do not happen overnight."
Ferguson was also critical of United's back-up goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who has not yet signed a new contract and becomes a free agent in June. To Ferguson's annoyance, Carroll's agent, Francis Martin, stated this week that his client would be likely to sign a new deal if he was given assurances that he would not fall further down the pecking order.
Ferguson described that as "very presumptuous" and is known to have instructed his brother Martin, United's chief scout, to make a new goalkeeper his priority for the summer transfer market.
United, meanwhile, have rebutted a newspaper claim that Roy Keane has been offered a new two-year contract.
Ferguson has admitted that Gabriel Heinze is a major doubt for the FA Cup final against Arsenal on May 21st after the Argentinian suffered ankle ligament damage in a fall against Newcastle United last weekend. "Gaby is facing a race against time to be fit for the final," he said.
United have beaten off stiff competition from Chelsea to capture Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel from Norwegian outfit Lyn Oslo.
The 18-year-old, who has been named in the Nigerian training squad for this year's FIFA World Youth Championship, has had trials at Stamford Bridge and Jose Mourinho appeared to be ready to sign him. Instead, Ferguson has stepped in to sign the youngster, who impressed during the Norwegian League campaign as Lyn finished sixth.
