Eriksson denies he talked to United

AN impassioned Sven-Goran Eriksson came out fighting last night, insisting that he did not talk to Manchester United, vowing he would never bow to his critics and pledging that England would reach Euro 2004.

The national team coach, known for his guarded comments, broke from the norm and delivered a stirring self-defence to clear up growing controversies dogging his reign.

A fortnight ago, Alex Ferguson claimed the Swede had "shaken hands" on succeeding him at Old Trafford before he signed a contract extension. Ferguson's comments caused acute embarrassment at United and forced Peter Kenyon to deliver a carefully-worded statement saying: "We didn't offer him the job."

The Swede, who names his squad on Sunday for the Euro 2004 qualifying double-header against Liechtenstein and Turkey, said: "I've not been talking to or negotiating with any clubs you can ask my agent. And if Athol Still (the agent) had talks with United, he never talked to me about it.

"If I say something I have to stand up to it. So how many times shall I say no?"

Eriksson disclosed Ferguson telephoned him on the day the story broke to discuss the matter.

"The last time I spoke to him was after what came up in the papers. He phoned me up," he added. "It was an okay conversation, a good conversation, but it's not fair to ask what we talked about."

Eriksson said his position would not be affected by criticism, whether in media claims about his private life or by fans who booed his side off in the 3-1 defeat against Australia.

"If you draw with Macedonia then lose to Australia, I don't expect to be told I'm beautiful and perfect," he said. "I accept every criticism but I promise you I don't normally read the critics.

"I always want people to think better of me. But I don't really care what they say.

"At the end of the day, you have to look at your results as a football manager that's all that matters. I know what I can do and what I can't do. I know what trophies I've won and when I've won them. It's 17 or 18 trophies.

"We will qualify for Euro 2004 and I hope automatically. The draw against Macedonia was worse than Australia because you should win against them, so now we must take points in another game. Let's hope it will take more than two years before we're booed again."

Eriksson, whose house was under siege by the media last year after his affair with Ulrika Jonsson was discovered, claims he has never thought about quitting his job although he indicated he may consider his position if England's fortunes falter: "This is the biggest job I've ever had and football in this country is absolutely fantastic.

"I've never thought I should leave. Who knows? I will stay here as long as I'm allowed to. You wait for the day when things go wrong. And when things go wrong, then you have to see what you can do about it. But if you lose a football game (against Australia), you can't be worried."

"I think our focus must be to qualify for 2004 and forget Australia, even if that's difficult as we lost badly."

Eriksson also revealed he would have considered handing Alan Shearer an immediate return to the England squad to face Liechtenstein. The prolific Newcastle striker has scored 24 goals this season and suggested at the weekend he could come out of international retirement only to confirm his Three Lions career was over in a statement to The PA.

Shearer, 32, who quit after Euro 2000, said: "I do not wish to be considered for future selection." Eriksson, whose side face Liechtenstein in Vaduz a week on Saturday and Turkey at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Sunday, used this afternoon's Press briefing at the Football Association's Soho Square headquarters to clear up two issues.

Asked if he would change his tactic of using players for just 45 minutes in friendlies, he said: "No I don't think so. You can't play 45 minutes of league, Champions League and UEFA Cup games - but you can if you play a friendly. I think you should do that. And Eriksson indicated Everton's teenage sensation Wayne Rooney, who won his first cap against Australia, could keep his place in the squad for the qualifiers.

"It's a pity for me he plays very little, but every time he comes on, he makes headlines," he said.

"I'd like to see Rooney play more, but his manager is doing very well not letting him play. He's only 17, so maybe that's good."