Harry tips Fergie to suffer a downturn

'Being in the first team at United was not an issue. When you consider the money being offered, Harry would have been guaranteed a first-team place. You don't pay that money to an individual, or his club, for him to sit on the bench,' he told BBC Five Live.

Leeds manager Peter Reid can at least console himself that he is close to completing a cut-price £3m deal for Brazil midfielder Kleberson.

An Atletico Paranaense delegation, headed by president Mario Celse Petraglia, is bound for Leeds to continue negotiations over a deal for the 24-year-old, whose value has dropped from £5million as he approaches the last year of his contract.

'I have admired him for a long time and if there is any way I can bring him here, it would be terrific,' said Reid of the World Cup star.

As Kewell jetted out to Liverpool's training camp in Switzerland, the war of words over his departure from Elland Road continued.

After reluctantly sanctioning the deal, Leeds chairman John McKenzie angrily accused Mandic of holding the club to ransom.

He claimed an ultimatum had been made that £2m should be paid to the agent's company, MaxSport, or Kewell would see out the 12 months left on his contract and leave on a Bosman free transfer.

Mandic attempted to turn the tables yesterday, by describing how Leeds had tried to exert pressure on Kewell to turn his back on Liverpool and accept more lucrative offers from United, Chelsea and Barcelona.

All three lodged bids of £7m or more and Mandic said: 'When we talk about blackmail, what was put to us was "if you want Harry to walk away with his head held high and the supporters to view him as a Leeds hero, you've got to take our deal".

'They had clubs lined up, bids from Chelsea and United, and it was put to Harry that, if he wanted to be remembered as a Leeds legend, he had to accept their deal.

'We had a £9m bid two days before the deal with Liverpool was done. That would have meant my company getting £4m rather than £2m. I would have been on a far better return from a bonus perspective, but I have to be guided by my client. If it costs my company money, so be it.'

After being unveiled as a Liverpool player last Thursday, Kewell admitted his concern that the money wrangle might affect his standing with Leeds fans and turn them against him when he returns to Elland Road. He might also now be wary of going to Old Trafford after letting it be known he feels United's days at the top may be numbered.