Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento has played down reports linking him with a move to Manchester United as Carlos Queiroz's successor.The Old Trafford outfit are searching for a new assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson following Queiroz's appointment as Portugal's manager.

Bento is a former team-mate of Red Devils ace Cristiano Ronaldo and was reported to have emerged as a leading candidate for the post with the Premier League champions.

Tottenham assistant Gustavo Poyet earlier rubbished speculation he could be set to leave White Hart Lane for the North West, and now Bento has followed suit.

Bento told Antena 1: "I only know the news from the papers. I have not spoken with anybody.

"I have a deal with Sporting until June 2009 and now my head is only focused on this project."

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