Ruud van Nistelrooy has rubbished Jacques Santini's claim that referee Peter Walton visited the Manchester United dressing room during Saturday's Premiership clash at Tottenham.
The Spurs boss accused Walton of "smiling and laughing" in the United dressing at half-time, shortly after awarding the penalty that earned the visitors a 1-0 win.
But van Nistelrooy, who scored the goal from the spot, told the Daily Star: "I never saw him. He did not visit our dressing room at any point."
The Frenchman was also unhappy with the Football Association's decision to change the officials for the match.
The more experienced Steve Bennett had been due to take charge of the match but was asked to take up fourth official duties after Graham Poll was switched to Fulham's game with Southampton.
The Red Devils, however, have tried to defuse the situation with Sir Alex Ferguson saying: "The fans tried to influence the referee but he did his job well for a young man and there were no contentious issues, just some hoo-ha."
Ruud scored from the penalty spot as Manchester United clocked up their first Premiership away win of the season at Tottenham.
The Dutch striker stepped up after 42 minutes to blast home the winner after Erik Edman was harshly adjudged to have pulled down John O'Shea in a goalmouth scramble.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men had edged the opening period and Alan Smith almost caused an upset after nine minutes but his former Leeds team-mate Paul Robinson was equal to the striker's header.
Jamie Redknapp tried his luck at the other end but his header lacked the power to trouble Roy Carroll.
Pedro Mendes blazed over the bar moments later before Robinson had to be alert to block a Ruud van Nistelrooy shot.
A bad foul by Mendes on Cristiano Ronaldo on 28 minutes presented United with their best opportunity but Ryan Giggs narrowly failed to find the target from Roy Keane's quick free-kick.
Carroll made a superb save on 38 minutes to tip a stunning Mendes shot around his post as Spurs built up momentum before Keane cleared his namesake Robbie's corner.
But the match turned shortly before the interval when Edman was deemed to have fouled O'Shea. Referee Peter Walton pointed to there spot and van Nistelrooy smashed the ball beyond Robinson.
Smith almost extended the visitors' lead with a close-range volley after the restart while Jermain Defoe burst into life with two half-chances for Spurs.
Van Nistelrooy thought he had found the net again soon after but his effort was harshly ruled out for offside, while Ronaldo saw his goalbound shot brilliantly parried by Robinson.
Carroll then matched Robinson's save when he produced a strong hand to deny Davies from long range.
Spurs through the kitchen sink at United late on and Robbie Keane spurned a golden opportunity while Robinson was again on hand to block a bullet header from substitute David Bellion.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Ruud van Nistelrooy's achievement in beating Denis Law's club record of scoring most goals in European competitions.
Van Nistelrooy took his total to 30, two more than Law’s 28, with a brace in the 2-2 Champions League draw in Lyon as United fought back from two goals down.
Ferguson said: "Denis Law was one of the greatest players of all time - but van Nistelrooy is fantastic.
"I can’t praise him enough in what was only his second game in four months."
Ferguson added: "We all know Ruud is a fantastic goalscorer. He has broken records already and will continue to do so.
"But his greatest achievement here was to play almost a full game, take a number of challenges, some of which were really unfair, and also score two goals.
"Having not played any real football in almost four months, that was a remarkable feat in itself."
However, of United’s overall performance, Ferguson conceded: "You cannot ignore what happened in the first-half. I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I did that.
"I was terribly disappointed at half-time with some elements of our game. We had to change and in fairness to the team, they did play with more intent.
"We were pushing up early in the game and allowed their forwards to get on the ball too easily but goals change games and Ruud changed the game for us.
"We certainly grabbed the game much better in the second half. We showed far more purpose and intent. Intent is an important part of football and we showed that in the second half.
"We don’t forget the first half but in the second half, give credit. We found something we find a lot of the time and I think we deserved the point.
"I’m happy - 2-0 down at half-time, I have to be."
Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his decision to rush Ruud van Nistelrooy back into action as a calculated risk ahead of this week's start of the Champions League group stage.
Van Nistelrooy made his first appearance of the season in a 2-2 draw with Bolton here on Saturday, just five weeks after he underwent a hernia operation.
Inevitably, he looked decidedly ring-rusty as United salvaged a valuable point thanks only to David Bellion's injury-time goal.
Van Nistelrooy missed a glorious first half opportunity and his long-awaited partnership with Alan Smith, the England international, struggled to take shape before the Dutchman's withdrawal midway through the second half.
But with his forward options severely limited by injuries to Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Ferguson insists he had to fast-track van Nistelrooy back ahead of United's trip to Lyon on Wednesday.
"It was a gamble we had to take," Ferguson said. "He wasn't ready and you could see that but we have some big games ahead and had to bring him back as quickly as possible.
"We have got Lyon coming up in the Champions League and then Liverpool in the Premiership so we need to have as many players available as we possibly can.
"There were some positives for him and this is only the start of his return."
Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy could make a shock return to action during Saturday's Premiership visit to Bolton.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that the Dutchman, who is yet to feature for United this season after hernia operation, could play some part at the Reebok Stadium.
But despite presiding over a squad decimated by injuries, Ferguson will resist the temptation to play Van Nistelrooy from the start.
The Red Devils boss is especially short of options in attack, with new-signing Wayne Rooney still recovering from his foot injury, while Louis Saha picked up an injury in midweek during France's 2-0 victory over the Faroe Islands.
"Wayne is not ready," said Ferguson, "He's training on his own with our remedial department. The injury he's had is still on the medical side, but he should be ready in maybe three weeks.
"But Ruud is getting along fine and is very close. It's a major decision and putting him on the bench tomorrow is maybe the sensible thing.
"He's done all of the training in the last 10 days and done everything I've asked of him. He just needs to get back into football now."
Ferguson may also be forced to hand Gabriel Heinze his debut at Bolton after the Scot was left counting the costs of the international hiatus.
In addition to Saha, defenders Gary Neville and John O'Shea picked up injuries during the international break and are doubtful for the Premiership trip to the Reebok Stadium.
Ferguson is on record as saying that Heinze may already have jeopardised his Old Trafford career before it even started after the defender embarked on a three-month international sojourn soon after signing for £6.9million from PSG.
With Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown still out through suspension and injury respectively, Ferguson has Mikael Silvestre as the only fit senior defender.
The Scot may be forced to partner the Frenchman with Heinze in central defence. Alternatively, Roy Keane, who came through the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Switzerland unscathed, could be asked to continue at the back.
RUUD RUBBISHES SANTINI CLAIMS
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