Are rich men using football to flex muscles?

THE developing row at Old Trafford promises rich entertainment for the neutrals over the coming months.

The opposing camps have taken positions that are so diametrically opposed as to suggest the issues will not be settled in any great haste. The sums of money involved are so huge as to confirm the view that this battle will run longer than Rock of Gibraltar's accumulated mileage.

Just how much of what we read is true and how much of it is newspaper speculation remains to be seen. But all of the ingredients of a blockbuster are there famous names, large sums of money, glamorous lifestyles, a hint of intrigue and questionable dealing.