David Beckham has denied reports of a row with his manager Sir Alex Ferguson after he was dropped for Sunday's crucial Premiership clash against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Rumours of the bust-up began circulating when the England and Manchester United player failed to turn up for training on Friday.

But, according to Beckham's spokeswoman, he was absent because his son Brooklyn was ill.

David Beckham's Manchester United future has been thrown into doubt after his name was missed off the team list.

Sir Alex refused to explain why he had left out one of Europe's best players - adding that the matter would be dealt with within the club.

A spokeswoman for Beckham said: "David missed training on Friday because Brooklyn had a cold and he had to stay at home to look after him.

"There has been absolutely no bust up with Sir Alex Ferguson."

The News of the World newspaper claimed that Beckham went to the dressing rooms after Saturday's bust-up before driving away from the club's training complex 20 minutes later.

Ferguson tried to shrug off the issue after his side's 1-0 victory.

"It was just one of those things," he said.

Asked on Sky Sport whether it was a disciplinary matter, he replied: "It's a matter of picking the team - I've got the privilege and duty of doing that today."

And when he was pressed on the chances of Beckham returning to the team at Wimbledon next week, Ferguson said: "It's a possibility."

Spectator in the stands

Beckham did arrive at Elland Road on the team coach on Sunday morning.

But he was not included in the starting line-up and was not even given a place on the bench for the top-of-the-table match, as England colleague Nicky Butt claimed his midfield berth.

The absence from the team of United's most high-profile player, runner-up in Fifa's world player of the year poll last month and a regular in glossy showbiz lifestyle magazines, inevitably increased speculation about his future.

It appeared that just days after England manager Kevin Keegan had hailed Beckham as a "model professional", Ferguson had decided to make a different kind of example of his celebrity player.

Tabloid reports have suggested in recent weeks that Beckham , who lives in Hertfordshire with his young family, could be on his way from Old Trafford.

The midfielder has been linked with Premiership rivals Arsenal and Spanish giants Barcelona.

Ferguson has never hidden his desire to keep his superstars under a tight rein.

In his recent autobiography, he explained his decision to sell Paul Ince - another player who was had been seen as crucial to the club's success.

"If footballers think they are above the manager's control," Ferguson wrote, "there is only one word to say to them - goodbye."