Fans united in fight to rid Reds of Magnier and McManus

INFLUENTIAL Manchester United fans group Shareholders United have vowed to continue to fight to get rid of key shareholder John Magnier.

More than 20,000 leaflets were distributed at Old Trafford on Saturday as the row between Coolmore and manager Alex Ferguson escalated.

The organisation have already declared their unequivocal support for Ferguson, whose position at the club has come under threat following his legal dispute with the club’s leading shareholder over the stud rights to record-breaking stallion Rock of Gibraltar.

Ferguson responded by thanking them publicly, saying he “depends” on them in times of crisis.

T-shirts carrying threatening messages were on sale from street vendors before the 3-2 win over Southampton, while Magnier was abused by large sections of a Premiership record crowd.

Ferguson was reportedly in Dublin yesterday for a meeting with his lawyers to discuss his next course of action, raising the possibility that he might have decided to seek a compromise.

However, even if a resolution to the dispute is found between the Scot and Magnier, who together with business partner JP McManus, owns 25.5% of the club, Shareholders United are out to ensure the Irish duo do not assume total control.

“If they think all we are about is T-shirts, banners and songs then they have another thing coming,” said Shareholders United spokesman Oliver Houston, whose organisation helped stall BSkyB’s attempt to buy the club in 1999.

“That was simply a very public show of unity and solidarity to rally the troops.

“The red army is on the march and in a state of complete battle-readiness. We are united for United.

“The dispute over the horse remains a private matter. Yes, we acted in defence at the personal attacks on Alex Ferguson but that skirmish is just a small part of the wider war now being waged to protect our club from outside influences and the threat of takeover in whatever form and from whichever quarter they emerge.

“The fans have shown they have a powerful voice but united, we can also be a powerful force. Thousands have joined our share scheme in recent weeks and having distributed more than 20,000 leaflets yesterday, we

expect thousands more to sign up to ensure our club remains independent.

“Fans have to ask themselves ’if not me, who?’ and ‘if not now, when?’”