The Times reports:
‘Manchester United have written to Fifa, football’s governing body, to demand an explanation for an article in its official magazine that questioned Sir Alex Ferguson’s conduct in transfer dealings.
‘The article accuses the United manager of “routinely” making illegal approaches for players and, more seriously, makes potentially libellous claims about the involvement of his son, Jason, as an agent in previous deals.
‘“We regard this as totally inaccurate and we are writing to Fifa, via the FA, to ask for an explanation,” a United official said.
‘Asked about the article, written by a Dutch freelance journalist, a Fifa official last night pointed to a disclaimer explaining that “views expressed in the Fifa magazine do not necessarily reflect those of Fifa”.’