No illegal move for Owen - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has denied making an illegal approach for Owen Hargreaves.

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has threatened to report Manchester United to FIFA after claiming the Red Devils made contact with Hargreaves over a potential £17million move to Old Trafford. Yet Ferguson rejects the accusation he has held talks with the 25-year-old.

"I have not spoken to the boy," said the United manager. "I have not ready the comments and I know nothing about it but that is not right (that United made an illegal approach)."

Ferguson said the move for Hargreaves was no nearer, although he was still waiting to discover whether chief executive David Gill had been able to instigate any fruitful discussions with Bayern officials at Thursday's Champions League draw.

"We know what the situation is," said the Scot. "We just need Bayern to tell us what is happening."

Ferguson remains keenly interested in the player, who is due back in Manchester next week as England begin preparations for next weekend's Euro 2008 qualifier with Andorra at Old Trafford.

And Hargreaves is just as desperate to join the Red Devils.

With less than a week now remaining before the transfer window closes and Bayern showing no sign of buckling, the Calgary-born midfielder can see the prospect of his dream move disappearing fast.

However, he has left Bayern in no doubt that if they force him to remain in Munich, they will be keeping him against his will.

"It is not up to me any more," Hargreaves told Bild. "The general manager does not want to let me go. That is his right. But he certainly knows what I want. I am an English international and part of my family lives near Manchester. A lot of things have come together and no other football player on this planet is in a similar situation."