Sebastian Coe believes that Manchester United's young players including will benefit from competing in the Olympics despite Sir Alex Ferguson's negativity towards the Games.

The Red Devils boss previously spoke out against his young players, such as Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley, featuring in next year's London Olympics due to worries over fatigue and fitness.

"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," The Express quotes Coe as saying. "That is very clearly Alex wearing his Manchester United, Premier League manager's hat and I know some managers will inevitably do so.

"But this is about prioritising. There are a lot of players that would like to play in the Olympic Games and there are a lot of managers that think it is an important part of the development of a player.

"There is an extraordinary opportunity for young players and a lot of countries do use the Olympic tournament as a way of giving young players that tournament experience when it is probably less important in a way for them than their European or continental championships or even a World Cup."

Meanwhile, the Welsh, Irish and Scottish Football Associations remain opposed to the inclusion of a Team Great Britain football team.