Ferguson focuses on title

[RvN#10]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insisted his bid to retain the Premiership title would not be affected by "off-field nonsense".
Ferguson is currently locked in a legal dispute with Irish horseracing tycoon John Magnier over the stud rights to Rock of Gibraltar.

"I'm determined nothing will interfere with my focus on my work," he said.

"Following all the off-field nonsense I am in good shape after the massive message of confidence from the fans."

Ferguson's pledge came on the same day that Magnier and his business partner J P McManus upped their stake in Manchester United.

Through their investment company, Cubic Expression, the duo raised their stake to 28.89% by buying shares from Dutch media tycoon John de Mol.

Magnier and McManus would only need to hold 29.9% of the club to launch an automatic takeover bid.

But the pair are not thought to be interested in assuming outright control at Old Trafford.

Instead Magnier and McManus are understood to want three representatives on the United plc board.

That would allow the Irish duo to exert greater influence, not only on Ferguson's future at the helm, but in the running of the club as a whole.

It has also emerged that Ferguson met with influential Celtic and Manchester United shareholder Dermot Desmond this week.

Though the pair met to discuss Liam Miller's move to Old Trafford in the summer, the United boss is believed to have sought Desmond's advice on his dispute with Magnier.

Irishman Desmond is a close associate of Magnier.

It has emerged that Ferguson and Magnier are keen to settle the dispute as soon as possible and avoid the argument reaching Dublin's High Court.