ARABS GO DUTCH AT UNITED.

Byline: ALAN NIXON

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a fight to keep his Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen - with wealthy Qatar desperate to whisk him away.

Meulensteen is wanted by the rich Arabs to run their national football team and boost them as they bid for World Cup qualification. They also think he'll lift their status before a bid to host the finals.

The highly-rated Dutchman is one of Ferguson's top aides, working beside the manager and assistant Mike Phelan. Some even think he is the 'brains' of the United operation.

The Qataris already know Meulensteen from his time as their youth team manager.

He also managed leading club sides in Qatar before Ferguson head-hunted him eight years ago as 'skills coach.

He left to manage Danish side Brondby but came back to Old Trafford where he is now a key figure in their push for honours - but could now be tempted away again.

The 45-year-old, who is often seen as Fergie's closest confidant on the bench, will be offered a lucrative deal by the Qataris following the failure of their recent World Cup campaign.

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CAPTION(S):

TEAM United coach Rene Meulensteen with Sir Alex