Manchester United have delivered their response to the 99 questions about corporate governance posed by John Magnier and J.P. McManus but are bracing themselves for fresh legal action by the Irishmen against Sir Alex Ferguson.
According to a source close to Cubic Expression, the company via which the racing tycoons own
25.49 per cent of United, the pair are "deadly serious" about a possible defamation claim against the United manager over comments he made last week.
The source also revealed that United's response to the 99 questions comprised a seven-page letter plus a six-page attachment. No one on either side was commenting on the level of detail in the document but the size suggests supplementary questions, if not overt dissatisfaction, could be imminent.
"We are going to give [United's replies] due consideration," the Cubic source said. "Once they have been fully digested, we'll consider what action to take next."
The potential defamation action follows remarks Ferguson made when he said his son Jason had had "a terrible time" because of "people stealing his mail, going through his bin bags and hiding in bushes. In the end he has had to call the police in."
Magnier and McManus are investigating whether Ferguson's comments could have been construed to implicate them. The Irish camp strenuously deny having any involvement in stealing from or snooping on Ferguson jnr.
"It is incomprehensible I would abuse my position at this club," Ferguson said last week. "I have been here 17 and a half years and nobody has ever raised a doubt about that. All of a sudden because of a private matter about a racehorse it is all coming out. It is not easy to take."
Meanwhile, United supporters have begun organising themselves for a campaign they hope will persuade Magnier to stop putting pressure on Ferguson. An independent United website has called on supporters to lobby the European Parliament for an end to the tax-free status of breeding stallions in Ireland, which has formed the basis of Magnier's fortune.
- INDEPENDENT
