Fergie rebuffs trio of loan inquiries

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has turned down a trio of loan inquiries from Walsall counterpart Paul Merson.

The two clubs signed a co-operation agreement at the start of last season which was based around offering coaching advice, but the Saddlers hoped it would also result in United sending some of their younger players to the Bescot to give them extensive first-team experience.

However, Merson’s attempts to lure Chris Eagles and Kieran Richardson down the M6 have met with no success and his latest move, for 18-year-old striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, has also been rebuffed.

“I have inquired about players who I thought would be good in our team but none of them have been allowed to come,” Merson told the Express and Star.

“It is difficult because they have two reserve teams and they have to make sure they have enough players to fulfil all their fixtures.

“I asked about Blake, who I think could have done us a job, but they said no. The kind of players you would take are the likes of Chris Eagles and Kieran Richardson, but they just won’t let them go.”

All three players were part of United’s Champions League squad for the 3-0 defeat in Fenerbahce last week and are expected to be included in Ferguson’s plans for next month’s Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea.