United defend Howard deal

MANCHESTER United have launched a vigorous defence against allegations that they made hidden payments to agents in the £2.3 million summer transfer of goalkeeper Tim Howard.

A dossier on Howard's move from United States Major Soccer League outfit New York Metros has been handed to the FA for investigation after it was claimed money was passed from one agent to another after the deal had been completed.

Alex Ferguson's son Jason is mentioned in the report as being a close associate of Monaco-based agent Mike Morris the man to whom the second payment is alleged to have been made, raising a potential conflict of interest.