Alex Ferguson has effectively accused Arsenal of trying to deceive Manchester United over the state of Thierry Henry's fitness. The Old Trafford manager is refusing to believe Arsene Wenger's claims that the striker will miss Saturday's English FA Cup final and has informed his players not to place any stock in news from Highbury.

"We are preparing for Thierry Henry to play," Ferguson said. "If he doesn't, I'll hold up my hands and tell myself: 'You shouldn't be so distrustful, Alex.' But we will have the attitude until the very last minute that he is playing. Call it Scottish caution, if you like, but our preparations are based around him being in the team."

Ferguson had raised the issue himself and was subsequently asked whether he thought the Arsenal manager was being economical with the truth, exaggerating the extent of Henry's Achilles' injury. Ferguson nodded before replying: "It's possible".

Alternatively, the United manager could be guilty of judging others by his own standards. Wenger might have faults, but it would be a first for him to try such a ruse. Ferguson, meanwhile, is notorious for spreading half-truths about injuries before big matches and there are doubts over his assertion that United would be missing their full backs, Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze.

Within an hour of Ferguson all but ruling both of them out, photographers had seen the pair trotting out on to the practice ground with the rest of the players. Neville suffered a groin strain in the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea nine days ago while Heinze has not played since damaging ankle ligaments against Newcastle on April 24th.

"I don't think Gary will make it and Gabi is out," insisted Ferguson. "I can't see him playing and I feel particularly sorry for him. He's been fantastic and he deserves to play in a final. Gary's not training and he's got the medical people working on him, but it's not looking good for him either. He's not training."

Ferguson, who denied reports that Paul Scholes is at risk of missing out, spoke for the first time about Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the club, but refused to answer questions about his willingness, or lack of it, to work for the American or the extent of his concerns about the new regime.

There was no mention of his previous opposition to the takeover and, choosing the words carefully, he tried to portray an image of business as usual.

"I don't think this is the time to be answering questions about Malcolm Glazer," he said. "My job is the Manchester United manager and my main concern has always been the team. When we are preparing for an FA Cup final the focus has to be 100 per cent or we are not doing our jobs properly.

"Everything is geared towards Saturday and, for now, all the rest is peripheral. That way we are going into a very difficult and important game properly prepared."

Ferguson sympathised with the fans, who are planning mass protests inside and outside the Millennium Stadium, but he has become concerned about threats from groups such as Shareholders' United and the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association to disrupt the match.

"Of course the fans are emotional," he said. "That is understandable after all the loyalty they have shown this club over the years, but I'm sure they won't let us down. This is their cup final as well, and they want us to win. We have to show a united front, Manchester United players and supporters, to win this cup together. Nothing else matters."

Despite Ferguson's best efforts, the spectre of Glazer continues to loom over the club. David Gill, United's chief executive, is trying to arrange a meeting between the Scot and the new owner, although it is not expected until next week at best. In the meantime, there is expected to be telephone contact between Ferguson and Glazer's son Joel, who will take a hands-on role at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Glazer has been dealt a serious blow to his hopes of Manchester United securing their own TV deals after the European Commission said they would not support a legal challenge by the club's new owner.

United and the other 19 Premier League clubs have a "joint selling" agreement by which they negotiate collectively for the domestic and overseas rights to the competition.

Glazer is thought to have his eyes on United breaking away from that agreement, possibly by challenging the ruling in the European courts under free-market legislation.

The EC competitions commission have been in conflict with the English Premier League over their TV deals before, but a spokesman ruled out any backing from Brussels for a challenge to the principle of joint selling.

The EC's main concerns are about trying to prevent a monopoly by a broadcaster rather than a collective agreement by a league.

United are unlikely to have much luck either at persuading the other Premier League clubs to change the rules.

At least 14 of the 20 clubs would have to agree to individual negotiation for either the domestic or the overseas deals, and when former United chief executive Peter Kenyon pushed the issue to a vote two years ago he was defeated 19 to one.