Ferguson fires angry shot at Magnier

AFTER months of sabre-rattling, Sir Alex Ferguson has fired the first proper shot in anger across the bows of John Magnier.

In Manchester, fans can scarcely believe it: conventional wisdom had it that somehow a deal would be struck to avoid the hell of courtroom war. Even now, there are those inside Old Trafford who think that yesterday's submission of papers to the High Court may simply be the last act of brinkmanship from the Fergie camp in order to force a better settlement offer from Coolmore. But they are in a minority.

A Manchester United official sighed on the telephone yesterday: "We just have to accept that Ferguson and Magnier are both proud men who stand by their principles. What can be done?"