Ferguson denies claim he hired SAS

CLAIMS that Alex Ferguson hired an SAS task force to spy on his players were yesterday dismissed by the Manchester United manager during a visit to Co Mayo.

The claims were made by a former security chief at the club, Michael ‘Ned’ Kelly, who had previously spent 11 years with the SAS, in his book Manchester United: The Untold Story.

Speaking on his arrival at Knock International Airport yesterday afternoon, Mr Ferguson said: “The club will make an assessment of the book. Ned Kelly was a security chief, I don’t know what credence there is to his claims.”

Last night, Mr Ferguson was guest of honour at the 10th annual Mayo Manchester United Supporters Club dinner at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport.

He had flown into Knock aboard a BA City Express flight shortly after noon in the company of the airport’s chairman and his personal friend, Joe Kennedy, a retired Manchester-based businessman originally from Doocastle, near Charlestown, Co Mayo.

The Manchester United manager said he is looking forward to signing a new contract with the Old Trafford club this week and, as long as he stays healthy and continues to enjoy the job, would not be thinking of retirement.

“Cathy, my wife, wouldn’t let me anyway,” he said.

The indefatigable Scotsman signed autographs for hundreds of young fans who had assembled from all over the west.

He was then flown by helicopter to Westport, where he spent the afternoon playing golf ahead of the Supporters’ Club dinner.