No Welbeck contract dispute - Ferguson

Manchester: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions that Danny Welbeck is refusing to sign a new contract with the club. Welbeck was reported this week to be stalling on a new deal in a similar fashion to Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison, with the 21-year-old supposedly angling for a 60,000-pound-per-week deal.

However Ferguson has moved to quash rumours that there is an issue with the striker who has scored eight goals in all competitions this season.

"There is no issue," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"We know the situation well with Danny. There is nothing to worry about there."
The United boss also had encouraging words regarding the fitness of injured duo Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley.

He said: "They are doing a good running programme at the moment and their fitness levels are good."

On Cleverley, he added: "I am hopeful in 10 days' time, he will be playing football on the training side of it. That is the plan anyway, unless there is any recurrence. We can kick on and then it depends how he does in training."

"His fitness levels should be fine and if that is correct, he could cope right away. You are talking about a week."

Ferguson also had positive news on the fitness of defensive duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, with both defenders expected to be available for selection on Sunday against Arsenal.

"Phil and Chris will be fit," he said.

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