United and FA in peace talks

Top-level talks have taken place between Manchester United and the Football Association in a bid to rebuild relations damaged by the Rio Ferdinand affair.

It is understood that FA chief executive Mark Palios and United counterpart David Gill have spoken to each other within the last 24 hours in an effort to ensure there is no lasting fall-out from the controversy.

United remain unhappy with how the FA have handled Ferdinand missing a drugs test. However, it is believed they have told Palios there will be no legal action, and have assured him that reports they will refuse to host England games in the future are wrong.

United communications director Paddy Harverson said "While we have had our differences over this affair, we do look forward to working with the FA in a constructive and co-operative manner in the future in a whole number of areas.

"It's important that the club and the governing body of this country have a good working relationship."

The talks do not mean that United will drop their criticisms of the Ferdinand issue - which centre on the fact that by leaving him out of the England squad, the defender was effectively identified when his name should have remained confidential until after any disciplinary hearing.

They will continue to pursue the matter in an effort to see changes to the drug-testing policy introduced, but will not seek legal redress.

An FA source confirmed there had been "positive conversations" between the governing body and the club.