MANAGERS BACK FERGIE

The League Managers Association has backed Fergie over the weekend’s stories blaming the dispute with Coolmore. However RI has learned that the Sunday Times’ report had nothing to do with Coolmore and came as the result of an on-going investigation into United’s transfer activity.

LMA chief executive John Barnwell said:

"Clearly someone is trying to stir something up.

“This is one of the problems that can arise with a plc. Private companies do not sit comfortably with football clubs as people have a lot of different agendas.

“They have dragged up the old chestnut about connections with his son but we have a very clear code of conduct and managers have a duty to inform the club about any dealings with agents.

“If Sir Alex asks us for any help we shall be only too happy to give it.”

Meanwhile United have no plans to probe claims that some shareholders are seeking to discredit Sir Alex Ferguson. From the Beeb:

Reports suggested United wanted to know how details of Tim Howard's transfer appeared in the media. But the club said no inquiry was being launched, and also denied a claim that chief executive David Gill wanted talks with United's largest backers.

Director of communications Paddy Harverson said: "There are no plans to hold any special meeting with anyone."

Harverson added: "We speak to our biggest shareholders on a regular basis and if there were any issues, they would be brought up."