Soccer: McManus purchase could mean shift in power

Manchester United shareholders believe the purchase of a £30m stake in the club by two of Alex Ferguson’s friends could signal a shift in the balance of power at Old Trafford.

Irish horseracing magnates JP McManus and John Magnier now own 6.77% of United shares, the second-biggest single holding after BSkyB, which owns 9.9%.

Oliver Houston, a spokesman for the group Shareholders United, said: "BSkyB and chairman Martin Edwards - not exactly the most popular people amongst United fans - were until now the two biggest shareholders.

"This could be the beginning of a highly significant shift in power at Old Trafford and we will be following developments very closely.

"We hope JP McManus and John Magnier put their weight behind the supporter-shareholders. We look forward to having talks with them in the very near future."