While the Premier League champions have teams in action at Glentoran in Belfast and Dunfermline in Scotland, their manager has a house move to organise, according to the media.

"I told her I had a match that day, but she wasn't having any of that," Ferguson was quoted as saying.

"She said it was only a friendly and that I had to help her."

Looking on the bright side, Ferguson said: "She saved me from making a difficult choice because my father played for Glentoran, but I also have close associations with Dunfermline.

"I played the best football of my career there before my transfer to Glasgow Rangers."

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez [ Images ] is also set to miss out as his move from West Ham United has yet to be completed.

Ferguson said after Sunday's Community Shield win over Chelsea [ Images ] that he expected Tevez to play on Wednesday, and possibly in this Sunday's season opener against Reading.