Ferguson feels US coach has future in Europe

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has backed United States coach Bob Bradley to make his mark in European soccer and expressed surprise that the American has not been offered a new deal by his country.

Bradley, who led the United States into the second round of the World Cup finals in South Africa where they lost to Ghana, has been linked with English Premier League club Fulham.

"I think he would do well, I like Bob, I like his approach, I think he has a steely determination about him and he goes into a lot of detail in his coaching," Ferguson said.

Bradley's contract with the US runs out in December and the shaven-headed former MLS coach has not been offered a new deal with a number of foreign coaches linked to the role.

"I think he did a fantastic job and I am surprised the USA have not sprinted to his house and given him a new contract, I must say that," said Ferguson ahead of Wednesday's game between United and the MLS All Stars.

Bradley has visited Manchester to study Ferguson's work at close hand and the Scotsman said a switch to a European club might be just what Bradley needed.

"He may want the challenge himself, I think that what he has achieved with the USA has been very good, he is a young man and I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a challenge in Europe or England for that matter," Ferguson said.

"I know he has been linked with Fulham and I don't think it is beyond his boundaries at all, I think he is very capable of taking on a challenge like that."

Ferguson's team lost 2-1 to Kansas City Wizards on Sunday and could be without John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher who have niggling injuries for the game against the MLS team which is expected to draw a capacity 71,000 crowd to Reliant Stadium.