Fergie: We'll cope without Kenyon

Alex Ferguson has wished Peter Kenyon good luck for his move to cash-rich Chelsea – even though it could be February before the former Manchester United chief executive signs on at Stamford Bridge.

Under the terms of his United contract, Kenyon is currently on ’garden leave’ after his resignation was accepted by the Old Trafford board on Monday.

The two clubs are currently thrashing out compensation for the self-confessed Red Devils fan, who was lured south by an astonishing £1m-plus (€1.41m) contract from new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

However, United bosses, sensitive to the knowledge that Kenyon has detailed salary information on every member of the Old Trafford squad and having already seen Ferguson rebuff an audacious raid to take him on board as manager, will be keen to ensure he doesn’t launch any immediate transfer raid on the club.

And that could mean Kenyon is prevented from taking up his post until after the next transfer window has closed at the end of January.

Despite the shock of Kenyon’s sudden resignation and the speculation which has arisen over the reasons behind the move, Ferguson insists there has been no dispute between the pair and telephoned his former boss this week to offer his best wishes.

The United boss said: “I spoke to him the other day and wished him well.

“I had a good relationship with him and it was a bit of a surprise when I found out he was leaving.

“It takes your breath away for a bit but when you are around Manchester United for long enough, you soon realise there is always something going on.

“There are lots of players who have left here for various reasons and at the end of the day, you just get on with it.”

Ferguson also expressed his satisfaction at the appointment of David Gill as Kenyon’s successor and insists he will have no problems working with a man who has previously occupied the positions of finance director and managing director.

“I will have the same relationship with David as I had with Peter,” he said.

“They have worked together on most things for the last six years and he is well capable of handling the job.”