Ferguson believes that the rumours were only started to unsettle United.
'I think I addressed that very well when I said it only came out when the draw was made for the quarter-finals, and we are still playing them,' he said. 'Probably after the game on Wednesday it will vanish. You know what they are up to and I think it will all die after this game.’
'There has certainly been no approach from Real Madrid and I can assure everyone of that. We have played the game, I am not saying that is the only reason this has come about, but it is coincidental to say the least.'
Ferguson was similarly dismissive about the speculation concerning Ryan Giggs.
'There was speculation last summer too and it was the same club, Inter Milan. This is the club which says it has no money. Do they think they are going to get a player for nothing for a start?'