Magnier close to peace deal with Fergie
While the pairs legal teams are yet to fully conclude a deal, it is understood that one of the longest sporting sagas in living memory is imminent.
Precise details of the agreement remain sketchy but it is believed that the final settlement will fall somewhere between Magnier's initial offer of two nominations per year, worth an estimated £1.5million and the £5million deal that has been suggested in other quarters.
In an early bid to resolve the dispute Ferguson was offered four nominations a year and it is possible this might have been revived, although the final settlement will almost certainly be capitalised into a lump sum to avoid any further complications.
It is thought the wording of an official statement would allow both parties to come out of the battle with their reputations intact, although Ferguson has been forced to accept far less than the £50million he originally believed he was entitled to.
Speculation was rife yesterday that the deal would be completed by the weekend, although it now seems more likely to be early next week.
But it comes a little over two weeks after Ferguson is believed to have called Magnier at his holiday villa in Barbados in an attempt to find a solution to a row which erupted over the details of a gentleman's agreement the pair had during the early stages of 'The Rock's' racing career.
Key members of the United board felt these issues, which mainly surround the club's policy on transfers, were raised mainly to turn the heat up on Ferguson even though sources in Ireland have continually rejected the theory.
Meanwhile Roy Keane has learned he will be available for the Champions League quarter-finals if Manchester United scramble past Porto this week at the same time as the door to an international return also swung open.
Despite Vitor Baia's demand for the maximum possible penalty, UEFA have confirmed Keane will only serve a one-match suspension for treading on the veteran Porto goalkeeper during last week's first leg defeat in Portugal.
Keane got the 11th red card of his United career when he needlessly stood on Baia as the keeper beat him to a long ball played out of the visitors' half.
Keane said: "I am pleased common sense has prevailed. There was no malice in the incident and I think UEFA have recognised that."
Of more concern to Ferguson will be the guarded but positive reaction Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has given to Keane's recent revelation that he would be willing to consider coming out of international retirement in time for the World Cup qualifying campaign that starts next autumn.
Keane has not played for his country since dramatically walking out of their World Cup training camp in Japan nearly two years ago but he has already been talked out of one return after initially indicating to Kerr that he would turn out for his country again.
A fortnight ago, the 32-year-old again claimed to have 'unfinished business' with Ireland and while Kerr was shrewd enough not to raise his hopes too much, he accepted a recall was possible provided the United skipper conformed to his rules.
"If Roy wants to make himself available in the future, I have no problems with that. But ultimately, I'll be in charge," Kerr said.
"The team will be run my way. Anyone who comes into the panel will be treated exactly the same as the rest of the squad.
"Every player has to be committed and has to live within the rules of the team.
"Everybody knows how to get in touch with me if they want to come back. But anyone who wants to return has to know it's right for them.
"There is no point if a player who has retired from international football says he wants to play for us again, only to find out that his club manager does not agree."
The last reference was a clear signal to Keane that he needs to solve the undoubted issues Ferguson has over his international commitments before he decides to make an international comeback.
*United are looking into the possibility of expanding Old Trafford to a 75,000 capacity.
No time limit has been put on the proposal but the extra 7,500 seats could generate in excess of £4million over the course of a full season.
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