Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson criticises Tottenham over Zeki Fryers deal

Sir Alex Ferguson has called on the football authorities to intervene after Tottenham Hotspur signed former Manchester United defender Zeki Fryers.

The United manager has accused Spurs of a 'blatant manipulation of the rules' after Fryers completed a move to White Hart Lane on Thursday, just six months after joining Standard Liege.

Fryers had moved to the Belgian club after United and Spurs failed to agree a compensation package for the 20-year-old when his Old Trafford contract expired last summer.

Ferguson has pointed an accusing finger at Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and wants Fryers' registration to be blocked until the matter has been investigated.

Tottenham have defended the deal they agreed with Fryers and a club spokesman said: "Zeki Fryers was out of contract in the summer. We had looked in to the possibility of signing the player but were unable to agree a deal on the terms Manchester United were asking.

"Zeki chose to go to Standard Liege, who paid compensation to Manchester United. Zeki enjoyed his time at Standard. However, when Standard sacked their manager in November, Zeki wasn't part of the new manager's plans, which he accepts and understands happens in football.

"Unfortunately, a combination of this, and the fact that he had become homesick meant he wanted to return to England and his representatives made contact with clubs in England.

"This afforded us a second opportunity to sign the player and as per FIFA's solidarity contribution mechanism, Manchester United will receive five per cent of the transfer fee we have paid."