Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished Rafael Benitez’s claim that he snubbed an offer of a handshake at Old Trafford ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final.

The interim Chelsea manager claimed that he waited for the Manchester United boss, only for the Scotsman to walk right past Benitez.

Ferguson has labelled the Spaniard’s accusation as “nonsense” and said that he should “have stood straight in front of me”.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Reading, the 71-year-old said, “It is nonsense. Why would I refuse to shake his hand?

“I was signing autographs and I never saw him. Why he has said that I have no idea. If he wanted to shake hands he could have stood straight in front of me.

“It is absolute nonsense.”

Ferguson also confirmed that neither Nani or Phil Jones will play a part against Reading with both out through injury, although he said that the Portuguese winger’s hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared.

“When he came off against Chelsea last week we thought it could have been another bad hamstring injury,” said Ferguson.

“It is not as serious as we thought but he could be out for a couple of weeks.”

The Scot also says that he “never understands football” talking on Saturday’s opponents decision to sack Brian McDermott.

“I never understand football,” said Ferguson. “If they had done it in December or January maybe I would have understood it because he could have brought players in.

“Brian McDermott has done a good job given the outlay. He spent something like £1.2 million and got in £7.4 million and got them promoted to the Premier League.

“He was manager of the month in January – I hope I am not manager of the month this month.”