Leeds quash rumours linking Kewell with Old Trafford move

Leeds United have categorically denied any approach from Manchester United for Harry Kewell.

The Australian international has been linked with a cut-price £6m move to Old Trafford this summer as Leeds look to reduce debts of nearly £80m. However, yesterday Leeds stated that no club have made an approach for Kewell let alone agreed a deal.

With speculation rife about Ryan Giggs' future with the Reds, Kewell could be seen as a potential successor to the Wales international on the left wing. The 24-year-old, with 12 goals this season, was restored to his more natural position on the left on Saturday by caretaker-manager Peter Reid for the 6-1 romp against Charlton at The Valley.

Kewell, who had previously spent the majority of this season under former manager Terry Venables up front, still scored twice as Leeds hauled themselves six points clear of the relegation zone.

Kewell's form this campaign is reported to have caught the eye of the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who last summer managed to lure Rio Ferdinand away from Elland Road for £28m. Ferdinand's departure signalled an exodus from Leeds, with Robbie Keane, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt, Robbie Fowler and Jonathan Woodgate all following suit.

The serial prankster Karl Power has been banned from Old Trafford for life by United. Power pulled his most elaborate stunt to date ahead of Saturday's 4-0 Premiership win over Liverpool.

With nine confederates, Power fooled United security staff into thinking they were part of an official pre-match sponsorship group and eventually forced their way on to the pitch. The group lined up for a photograph before making their way to the Scoreboard End of the ground where they re-enacted Diego Forlan's opening goal in the previous league game with Liverpool at Anfield.

The group then ran to the Liverpool fans, incensing them with their celebrations. Greater Manchester Police detained all 10 members of the group, who were arrested for "encroachment", although it is believed they could also face more serious offences. They have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

"Obviously this is a police matter now, so we cannot say too much," a club spokesman said. "However, we are treating the incident very seriously and all 10 people involved will be banned from Old Trafford for life."

Elsewhere, Mark Bosnich, sacked by Chelsea for testing positive for cocaine and suspended from football worldwide by the Football Association, faces a wait of weeks or even months before discovering if he has a future in the sport.

The Australian goalkeeper is in limbo because, despite two months of haggling, his legal team have been unable to finalise dates with the Football League appeals committee and the FA for the two hearings which will decide his fate.

Bosnich is appealing to the Football League appeals committee over the Premier League's verdict that the termination of his contract with the Blues did not represent unfair dismissal. The 31-year-old served notice of his appeal on 11 February and the hearing was meant to take place within a fortnight.

But, despite eight weeks elapsing, there is still no date agreed on and the meeting is now expected to take place after the end of the season.

The FA's personal disciplinary hearing for Bosnich, at which he faces a year-long ban if he fails to convince them he took cocaine unknowingly, was scheduled for 10 February but postponed when the played failed to turn up. The FA suggested a rearranged hearing for a date at the end of this month but Bosnich's legal team have not yet agreed the date.