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."