I AGREE to a large extent with Neil Bramwell's article (LET, October 14) - Manchester United should not have been allowed to pull out of the FA Cup, which, to all fans, is still a highly-rated, prestigious event, to pursue encounters at the other end of the world - with little-known opponents - a ruse more about making money, than any standing it will give to the club.

Of course, this is not setting a precedent - other clubs will not be afforded the same rights to opt out when it suits them.

Manchester United are all-powerful, possibly the best team in the land, but not bigger than the league that accommodates them.

Alex Ferguson is a good manager - that can't be denied, but look at the wealth and the clout at his disposal. In this case, he has gone too far - with collusion from the FA.

If he thought his reserve team were good enough to take on Aston Villa in the Worthington Cup, why couldn't he have offered to play teams in both competitions? But the fans here would have still been robbed - after all, we all want to see the best, not a second string.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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