Today's Guardian:
Ferguson is clearly aggrieved by the scrutiny of his tactics, but his major source of irritation yesterday emanated from a weekend newspaper column penned by Denis Irwin, the retired former United and Republic of Ireland defender. "My very reliable sources in both Manchester and Dublin say there has been contact between the FAI and my old manager," wrote Irwin. "Of course he is denying it. He has to - Alex is under contract to Manchester United. But that doesn't mean he won't be manager of Ireland by the time our next competitive games come around next September."
Perplexingly, Ferguson's first reaction was to say that Irwin had told him he had not spoken to anyone in the media, so it could be discounted as "rubbish". Given that Irwin actually wrote the column himself, and that he is not a man to go in for speculation or hyperbole, it should probably be taken reasonably seriously, particularly as Ferguson has confided in the past that the Republic of Ireland job would appeal to him should he ever leave Old Trafford.
Yesterday on the Guardian's website:
Former United and Ireland player Denis Irwin was quoted as saying there had been contact (Ed. between FAI and SAF), but Irwin has assured Ferguson he did not make the comments. Ferguson also insisted once again that his current managerial job will be his last.
"I don't know where these things start.
"Denis has told me he has not spoken to anyone and doesn't know where it has come from.
"It is the usual nonsense. I made the point last week, after this job I'm finished.
"It is important to clarify this. Ireland have already got a manager. I don't think it is nice to be linked to a job that someone is already in."