Uefa look set to confirm that Manchester United will not have to play Maccabi Haifa in Israel when the two sides meet again on October 29.

It's good news for the befuddled Sir Alex Ferguson, who would probably turn up in Tel Aviv by mistake anyway, but it's not so good for the Israeli side who are hoping to change Uefa's decision when officials fly out this week to assess the country's suitability for hosting international games.

After Manchester United had overcome Maccabi Haifa 5-2 in their opening Champions League tie of the new campaign, Ferguson said they would travel to the Middle East if asked - even if that meant having to endure the jeers of fans. Ferguson mistook Haifa for rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in the build-up to last night's fixture.

At the moment, the match is scheduled for Cypriot capital Nicosia, which will also play host to the rest of Maccabi's 'home' games after Uefa asked them to provide an alternative venue because of security concerns.

In response to a presentation made by Israel Football Association president Gavriel Levi last week, a Uefa party, led by vice-presidents Senes Erzik and Angel Maria Villar Llona, will visit the country, with a further announcement being made once their findings are known.

"The current position on club competition matches being played outside of Israel remains unchanged," confirmed Uefa in a statement, reinforcing a decision made last June not to play international matches in the country.

"It wouldn't affect us if we played in Israel and if that was the decision we would go," said Ferguson after last night's win. However, it is almost impossible to imagine United being asked to travel given the delicate political situation which exists in Israel at the present time.

Apart from the possible terrorist threat posed to the arrival of the one of the world's most famous clubs, the likely insurance costs would be astronomical.

In addition, Maccabi will open their home programme against Olympiakos in Cyprus next Tuesday and it is hard to believe that either United or group rivals Bayer Leverkusen would countenance the Greeks being handed the significant advantage of playing their match in Nicosia while they are forced to turn out in Israel.