Alex Ferguson's fragile relationship with the Manchester United board deteriorated further yesterday when talks to resolve his future were shelved by the directors.

Ferguson will leave for a four-week holiday today having been dismayed, again, that the club's hierarchy have failed to match his requirements about an ambassadorial role when he retires as manager next year.

Sergei Rebrov has scotched speculation linking him with a move away from Tottenham - claiming he is excited by the prospect of playing alongside Teddy Sheringham.

Sammy McIlroy believes his new skipper Michael Hughes can be Northern Ireland's David Beckham. McIlroy wants Hughes to revel in the captaincy in the same way Beckham has for England.

McIlroy joked this did not mean the Wimbledon winger would have to have a Mohican haircut before tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria: "If you look at what Eriksson did to Beckham, I'm trying to do the same to Hughesie because he's an influential player," said the Northern Ireland manager.

Distraught Craig Bellamy has criticised Coventry after being removed from Wales' World Cup squad - claiming he would have been treated differently if he was an English player. The £6.5 million striker was forced out after a row over his fitness between club and country that eventually left Wales without insurance cover for him.

Steve Bruce yesterday became Crystal Palace's 10th manager in eight years.