Football: Edwards `offered Kidd better deal'

MARTIN EDWARDS, the Manchester United chief executive, yesterday countered claims by Brian Kidd that he had not offered him a new deal to stay at Old Trafford. Edwards insisted that he did make an increased pay offer, but he could not persuade the United No 2 to turn down the manager's job at Blackburn Rovers.

"We did make him a new offer to stay," Edwards said. "We sat down with him and gave him a new contract and even offered him extended terms. But it became quite apparent that it was not a financial consideration. He wanted to have a chance at being a No 1."

Edwards' comments put him at odds with Kidd, who said: "There was no salary increase offered to me and nor was there any sought."

Edwards also denied any suggestion of intervention from the backers of BSkyB's bid to take over United. "That is absolute nonsense," he said. Edwards did discuss the issue with a Sky representative out of "sheer courtesy".

Edwards also contested the claim that Kidd decided to leave because he had not been promised the job of successor to Alex Ferguson. "Alex Ferguson's position when he goes has never ever been discussed with Brian Kidd or anybody else. Alex himself has to decide who he wants as his No 2 - and that could be a very long process."

Tottenham's Steffen Iversen had an operation on his jaw in Oslo following a collision with the Liverpool keeper David James on Saturday. The striker is likely to be out for several weeks.

Kidd, the man for all seasons, page 26