Fergie's Cup of comfort

SHAREHOLDERS United have issued a strong statement of support for Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in response to reports questioning his involvement in some transfer deals.

The summer signings of Kleberson, Tim Howard, David Bellion and the recent capture of Louis Saha, have all been highlighted in recent reports investigating the club's transfer activity.

There have been claims that unlicensed agents have been involved in the dealings and Ferguson's role has been investigated.

The controversy swirling around the United manager took another twist yesterday when John Magnier and JP McManus, United's largest shareholders, were reported to have questioned the amount of money paid to agents by the club.

Magnier is also involved in a long-running legal dispute with Ferguson over the stud rights to record-breaking stallion Rock of Gibraltar.

Shareholders United (SU), the non-political group for fans holding one or more share in the club, fear this may be clouding the issue.

Spokesman Oliver Houston said: "Sir Alex is undoubtedly one of the club's and the company's best assets.

"It would be a disgrace if personal score-settling, bullying and dirty tricks were allowed to win the day.

"SU has always pursued an agenda of genuine concern about all aspects of good corporate governance but what we've witnessed these last few weeks is simply mud slinging as part of a blatant and shoddy assassination plot.

"If gamblers and currency speculators or media moguls and oil tycoons, for that matter were renowned as paragons of virtue it would be less difficult to swallow when the plc's multi-millionaire shareholders start throwing their weight around," he said.

Through their company Cubic Expression, Magnier and McManus own a 25% holding in United.

Reports yesterday claim their concerns over transfers were detailed in letters sent to chairman Sir Roy Gardner.

One letter allegedly stated: "What we cannot understand is the necessity for the relative secrecy in which agents conduct their role and the astonishing fees which have been charged to the company".

The possibility of the claims and counter claims being aired in public is one the United board will want to avoid at virtually any cost, especially as Ferguson's whole future at the club could be called into question.

It was expected the Scot would sign a new one-year rolling contract before Christmas but, despite claims that all the terms have been agreed, the deal remains unsigned.

Though United chief executive David Gill has said he expects the deal to be signed this week, the delay gives even more credence to the reports that contract discussions remain on hold until his grievances have been investigated.

Gill said: "We are very close; the final details are with the lawyers".

The FA have said they will look at any evidence of impropriety should it be passed on to them.

Spokesman Nick Barron said: "Whenever we are handed evidence we will look into it but we stress this would not necessarily lead to an investigation".

Transfers are monitored by the FA and the Premier League and payments made to agents are not kept secret. It is, however, up to the clubs involved whether details are disclosed.

A United statement said: "All transfer negotiations are conducted by the executive directors of the club with legal advisers.

"In common with all football clubs, we often work with FIFA-registered agents.

"Any fees to agents are disclosed to the Premier League and, with effect from the current transfer window, to the Stock Exchange," the statement said.

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore believes Gill's decision to disclose more details about the signing of Saha this week was a positive move.

Scudamore maintained: "The right way of managing it in some ways is for shareholders to question and challenge what is happening to funds.

"I think David Gill has made a major step forward this week in the Saha deal in actually telling everybody exactly who got what for that deal.

"That's a step forward and then if the shareholders wish to challenge the executives responsible for doing that it is exactly what should happen," he said.