FOOTBALL SHORTS

RIO FERDINAND has refused to rule out becoming sporting director at Manchester United. As revealed by

Sportsmail, he has held talks with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, but would not elaborate on BT Sport last night.

LEEDS striker Patrick Bamford has been charged with ‘deception of a match official’ after Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa. Bamford faces a two-match ban — which would rule him out of the play-off first leg — for pretending Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi caught him in the face. El Ghazi’s red card has been rescinded by the FA.

BRENTFORD will send out a team of youth players to face Bolton if they are forced to play the controversially postponed fixture between the clubs.