Friday 15 March 2013 14:54, UK
Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected Rafael Benitez's accusations that he refused to shake hands with the Chelsea manager ahead of last Sunday's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Ferguson confirmed neither Nani nor Phil Jones will be available for the Reading game, although in the former man's case, his hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared. "When he came off against Chelsea last week we thought it could have been another bad hamstring injury," said Ferguson. "It is not as serious as we thought but he could be out for a couple of weeks." Saturday's game is the third time this season United have faced opponents who have just sacked their manager. And Ferguson finds Reading's decision to axe Brian McDermott perplexing in the extreme. "I never understand football," said Ferguson. "If they had done it in December or January maybe I would have understood it because he could have brought players in. "Brian McDermott has done a good job given the outlay. He spent something like £1.2million and got in £7.4million and got them promoted to the Premier League. "He was manager of the month in January - I hope I am not manager of the month this month."
