Ferguson hits back at Juve

Sir Alex Ferguson today dismissed criticism from Juventus over David Beckham as mind games.

Beckham set up both goals in Manchester United's 2-1 win against the Serie A leaders at Old Trafford last week, four days after the infamous 'flying boot' incident.

However, Juve general manager Luciano Moggi said the England captain wasn't a great player, adding: "Women like him more than I do.

"I don't think he is a phenomenal player, and I don't think he will come to Italy because he is not someone who will change your team."

But Ferguson laughed off the comments and got in a sly dig himself over the Italian club's illness problems last week. "You get these mind games in Europe," he said. "You have teams coming to Old Trafford saying they have 17 players out with flu and what a great side we are. Then we can't get the ball off them."

Ferguson will break the habit of a lifetime tonight by giving the Worthington Cup priority above the Champions League.

The United manager has already decided to let Paul Scholes and Wes Brown recover from minor knocks rather than face Juventus in Turin. Beckham, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy may also be rested with United needing only one point from three matches to qualify for the European Cup quarter-finals for a seventh successive season.

"I have to look at the big picture. We have a cup final against Liverpool on Sunday and there is no point in risking anybody before that," said Ferguson.

"There is no pressure on us in Turin. Juve have to come out and try to win the game."