Manchester United have moved quickly to diffuse a sexism row surrounding manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson's rejection of a female physio 17 years ago has been cooled by United insisting 'times have changed'.
The Manchester Evening News reports the physio unearthed the letter, sent in 1994 by the United manager in response to a request for a work placement, in the wake of the Sky sexism scandal which cost presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys their jobs.
Sir Alex wrote: "Most of the players felt that football was very much a male sport and did not really like the thought of females being involved with the treatment of sports injuries within the training complex.
"The general thoughts of the players regarding a female physiotherapist were that they would prefer to be treated by a male physiotherapist, they would feel more comfortable and they felt it would be much easier to discuss their problems with another male."
The physio, who did not want to be named, claimed the letter left her 'hurt and insulted'.
But United denied Sir Alex's comments were discriminatory or sexist.
A spokeswoman said: "He was talking about the general thoughts of the players at that time.
"It wouldn't happen again - the football environment is different. We now have a female physio working with the academy players."
