The Guardian said on Wednesday that Ferguson believes the story about Beckham receiving a cut eye was passed to the press by a player or member of staff at Arsenal.

The incident took place following Arsenal's 2-0 win over Man Utd in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Whatever happens in the dressing room should be sacrosanct Sir Alex Ferguson

It has also since been suggested that Ferguson may have actually thrown the boot at Beckham rather than accidentally kicking it at his star midfielder.

But Old Trafford director of communications Paddy Harverson played down the rumours that Ferguson is furious with Arsenal over the story.

"It's just silly speculation," he told the BBC Sport website.

Beckham forgives Ferguson

In his news conference on Tuesday, Ferguson indicated how angry he was the situation was now in the public domain.

Watch Ferguson's statement

"I have to stress, as I have in all my 29 years as a coach, that whatever happens in the dressing room should be sacrosanct.

"There's no way I could ever betray the trust of the players by letting anything out of the dressing room," he said.

Beckham is fit to play for Man Utd in their Champions League tie with Juventus on Wednesday and is expected to start the match.