Coe: Olympics offer great platform

Sebastian Coe has insisted Sir Alex Ferguson's young stars could benefit from being part of the Great Britain Olympic football team.

The Manchester United boss has said he does not want England players such as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to play in both Euro 2012 and the Olympics. But London 2012 chairman Coe said players such as Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi had gained valuable experience from previous Games.

Coe said: "I know that Alex and other managers will want their players to be fit and healthy for the Premier League. But actually Alex is a believer in Olympic football and I have spoken to him about it. That is very clearly Alex wearing his Manchester United, Premier League manager's hat and I know some managers will inevitably do so."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2011, All Rights Reserved.