Wesley Sneijder last night opened the door on a £35m summer move to United.

The Inter Milan midfielder, long identified as the Reds’ number one target to replace Paul Scholes, pointedly refused to rule out the prospect of a transfer to Old Trafford.

“There is always speculation, every year,”  the 27-year-old Dutch World Cup star said in  Ireland where he was in Dublin Super Cup action for his club.

“I’ve played for almost 10 years at the highest level and every year there is speculation. There is always a chance that something will happen.

“I’ve played in many big competitions, in Holland, in Spain and now here. We will see what’s going to happen.

“I’m happy to stay here, I’m happy to train every day with my colleagues and to play my games for the fans and everybody in the club and we will see.”

Sneijder’s wage demands of more than £200,000-a-week are understood to be the main stumbling block over a move.

Weekend reports claimed Sir Alex Ferguson had issued a take-it-or-leave-it offer, but he he denied  any ultimatum had been made. “Absolute nonsense,” he said. “I have never discussed him. There is nothing new.”

Meanwhile,  Fergie is banking on Tom Cleverley being United’s answer to Jack Wilshere – if he can’t land number one target Sneijder. The United manager is already considering alternative options in case he fails in his bid.

And Ferguson thinks Cleverley could prove a home-grown hero, just like Wilshere at Arsenal.

The England Under-21 midfielder was outstanding in United’s 2-1 win against European champions Barcelona on Saturday night. And it was enough to convince Ferguson that he can help fill the void left by Scholes’ retirement.

“It is an area we have to find a solution for,” he said. “That is why we played Tom Cleverley against Barcelona. Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game.

“He was our best player. He is a quick passer of the ball and he has good eyes.

Meanwhile, fans labelled as "anti-people" by United chief executive David Gill have launched a furious defence of their opposition to the Glazer family's ownership of the club.

Although Gill claimed the vast majority of United fans worldwide were supportive of the club's controversial American owners, he said there were some who would never change their view.

Among those are the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST), who have long campaigned against the Glazer family

"David Gill talks about the 'anti-people' being in a minority. What he fails to mention is the hundreds of millions of pounds the Glazers have taken out of the club in interest, fees, debt repayments, personal loans and expenses all on top of the actual debt," said Drasdo.