Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has questioned Chelsea's statement that the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon met United defender Rio Ferdinand by chance in a London restaurant.

On Tuesday, the Premier League leaders said the meeting between Ferdinand and Kenyon had been accidental and that they were not trying to sign the England centre back after learning the story was to appear in the British press.

However, Ferguson said he doubted Chelsea's version of events.

"That might be somebody elses' view (that it was by chance) but it is not my view," Ferguson was quoted as saying by several British newspapers on Saturday.

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"My concern is my supporters and I'm just letting my supporters know that I'm not happy with it. We believe Rio Ferdinand (that he did not know Kenyon was there). Whatever way he was enticed to the meeting."

Ferguson added that the club were close to agreeing on a new deal with the defender.

In March, the Premier League charged Chelsea and manager Jose Mourinho with making an illegal approach to Arsenal defender Ashley Cole. The player was also charged.