Veron is not going to Chelsea, insists Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON has insisted Juan Sebastian Veron will stay with Manchester United and face Juventus at the Giants Stadium in New York tonight.

Ferguson claimed to know nothing of speculation suggesting a £15million fee had been agreed with Chelsea for the Argentinian midfielder.

Instead, Ferguson suggested the player's agent was acting without authority and repeated his assertion Veron would still be at the club when United begin the defence of their Premiership title against Bolton on August 16.

However, one man who definitely will not be facing the Trotters is Gary Neville, who will fly home from United's US tour for treatment on a strained hamstring which will rule him out for three weeks.

Neville's absence, which also rules him out of England's friendly with Croatia, leaves Ferguson with a defensive headache as Wes Brown is out until Christmas with ruptured cruciate ligaments and both Laurent Blanc and David May have left.

However, of more immediate concern to the United boss is the speculation on Veron's future.

Having been told the 28-year-old would be surplus to requirements once the signing of Ronaldinho materialised, it seems the player's advisors are still pursuing a deal even though the Brazilian eventually snubbed United and opted to join Barcelona.

"Seba is a terrific player and I want him to stay," said Ferguson.

"I don't know anything about the speculation. Agents talk to a lot of people, they have a lot of power. My impression was that he had settled down, everything had gone quiet and there was no problem.

"Seba is a marvellous player and he is contracted to us. He will be playing for us," he said.

Veron's agent last night confirmed that Chelsea have made an offerfor Veron although he did not reveal a figure and suggested the player would be happy to move to London.

Fernando Hidalgo said: "Chelsea made an offer very recently to Manchester United for the transfer of Juan Veron.

"When the offer was proposed to us we were willing to accept it, as long as the personal terms would be what the player requested.

"We have to look at the contract that Chelsea would be willing to offer and also to have a resolution with Manchester United."

But Hidalgo added that Veron would be happy to remain with the champions.

He explained: "I'm not aware of Ferguson's quotes but obviously Manchester United have the last word.