There are reports of a new row between Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and midfielder Michael Carrick. The Manchester Evening News says the alleged Carrick fall-out surfaced on fans' forums on the web and followed a quote attributed to Sir Alex when Carrick was omitted from the 18 on duty for the league opener against Birmingham.

"There's no injury to Michael Carrick. You'll have to ask him why he's out," Ferguson was said to have told a TV station.

It followed a supposed verbal spat between Carrick and the manager at the Community Shield against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has won the Premier League title in every one of his three seasons as a United player since he moved from Spurs for around £18m in the summer of 2006.

But the speculation over a bust-up has also sparked talk of a return to White Hart Lane for the England midfielder in a swap deal - plus £10m for Spurs - that would bring Luka Modric to Old Trafford.