Manchester United Football Club has banned its players from using social networking websites.

In a statement, the football club claimed none of its stars had ever used sites such as Twitter or Facebook and that all player news was communicated via its official website, ManUtd.com.

“The club wishes to make it clear that no Manchester United players maintain personal profiles on social networking websites.

Fans encountering any web pages purporting to be written by United players should treat them with extreme scepticism.”

Apparently Twitter profiles of  Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher on were deleted. A Facebook account run by defender Wes Brown was also taken down, while Facebook walls for Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand were also wiped.

Other premiership clubs have a more enlightened attitude to social media. For example, Sunderland striker Darren Bent has built up a cult following on Twitter, with around 30,000 followers. Recently, Bent said he was “150% committed to the cause” after a weekend 7-2 mauling of Sunderland by Premiership front-runners Chelsea.

What do you think? Are Man United taking it too far? Let us know in the comments.