The FA have dismissed claims pressure from Manchester United saw a Liverpool Academy physiotherapist from duty with the England squad.

The Guardian says it is understood that Manchester United's chief executive David Gill, also a board member at the FA, objected to Dave Galley, who has more than 25 years' experience as a football physiotherapist, working with Fabio Capello's squad.

It is understood that he objected on the grounds that using non-independent staff contravenes FA policy, although concerns a Premier League rival would have access to potentially sensitive medical information could have played a part.

"Dave has reverted back to the Under-21s after one game," said an FA spokesman last night. "There should be no questions against his professionalism. We must be clear that there is an agreed board policy that has nothing to do with Manchester United, that the medical staff should be independent.

"Franco Baldini [Capello's general manager] and Rafael Benítez [Liverpool's manager] discussed the matter yesterday and it was explained we wanted to see Dave working with the team in the friendly this month. We deny any suggestion that we have been pressurised by Manchester United."