Queiroz hits back

United No. 2 slams Sporting chief

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 30th November 2007

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Queiroz: Caught in Veloso row

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Carlos Queiroz has hit back at Sporting Lisbon president Filipe Soares Franco, claiming his criticism of the Manchester United assistant was borne of frustration.

Franco accused Queiroz of an 'unacceptable insinuation' after Sir Alex Ferguson's number two admitted an interest in upcoming Sporting midfielder Miguel Veloso.

United have already plucked Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from Sporting after barely establishing themselves in the first team in Lisbon.

Veloso caught the eye in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash between the two clubs, when Ronaldo's late winner gave United a 2-1 win and prevented Sporting reaching the knock-out stages.

Anger

Queiroz angered Franco by revealing that United had already been watching the promising 21-year-old, with the Sporting chief insisting Veloso would only be sold if his £20million buy-out clause is met.

But the Portuguese coach had said Veloso was merely one of many to attract United's attention and believes Franco's comments were fuelled by Sporting's failure to progress.

"Mr Franco can't read or doesn't understand what I said," he told the Daily Mirror.

"He speaks because he knows I can't make direct contact to him in reply.

"His frustration from not seeing Sporting in the next stage of the Champions League has caused him to say what he has said."