United to tighten up transfer procedures

MANCHESTER United will tighten up its procedures governing the buying and selling of players, following a review undertaken after pressure from major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus.

The review came after the millionaire Irish businessmen sent a list of 99 questions to the soccer club’s board in January.Manchester United's board told the London Stock Exchange yesterday that it had completed a review of 21 transfers worth almost £160 million (€240 million), that were concluded between January 2001 and January 2004. Fees worth a further £13.5 million were paid to agents and go-betweens during the period.

Chairman Roy Gardner said the review was “far-reaching and thorough” and that the club had complied with regulations governing transfers.