Fergie peace deal

Jockeying for position: Ferguson is in talks with racehorse rivals

Adrian Warner|Graham Cunningham|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

A resolution to the war at Manchester United appeared to be moving nearer today after it was confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson met with John Magnier's close ally Dermot Desmond yesterday.

The lunch meeting, described by a source close to the peace discussions as 'friendly', took place at the private London club Mark's in Mayfair.

The revelation comes as Magnier and his partner JP McManus increased their stake in United to nearly 28.89 per cent. Confirmation came today that their investment vehicle Cubic Expression bought 8 million shares for £20.8 million that leaves them just short of the 30 per cent which would trigger an automatice takeover of the club.

Moves towards peace to end the bitter dispute between Ferguson and Magnier over the stud rights to the horse Rock of Gibraltar have been going on for about two weeks.

It is believed a deal was close 10 days ago but negotiations stalled. There will be speculation these are now back on track after the lunch between the United manager and Desmond, who himself owns around 1.5 per cent of United.

Desmond, who also owns Celtic, is the third member along with Magnier and McManus of the triumvirate known as the 'Coolmore Mafia' named after Magnier's stud farm in Ireland where the Rock is based.

Ferguson is under huge pressure from the United board to resolve the issue with Magnier following the adverse publicity that has seen the Irish duo turn up the ante on the club's directors and transfer dealings. This latest share purchase will only increase the pressure on United to make sure peace is agreed.

As well as discussing the Rock dispute, it is also understood from sources that Ferguson and Desmond were helping to rebuild relations between United and Celtic over the controversial capture by the English club of the young Irishman Liam Miller. The two clubs fell out after Celtic offered Miller a big money deal to stay at the club.

Another 5 million shares were also traded in United this morning increasing speculation of a takeover, although The City believes a bid is not in the Irish duo's plans at the moment, and suggested Tampa Bay Buccaneers entrepreneur Malcolm Glazer, owner of 14.25% of the club, was also increasing his stake.

Although the Irish appear to hold the upper hand over Ferguson and the club, they are known to be concerned by the recent activities of various United fan groups who have resolved to disrupt their racing interests because of the row.

Today it was also revealed that the argument was threatening to spill over to the greatest stage in jump racing as United supporters are planning a dramatic protest at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham MD Edward Gillespie has already received a formal request to stage a demonstration during next month's Festival, while a report in today's Racing Post suggests that United fans will cause 'huge embarrassment' during racing if permission to demonstrate is denied.

Sean Murphy, a former stable groom who has recently set up United 4 Action, told the Post his group are on the way to acquiring 250 tickets for Gold Cup day on March 18.

He said: 'We want to get the message across to Magnier and McManus that we want them to sell their shares in United and give the club back to the fans.

'If the racecourse doesn't give us permission [to demonstrate] we'll revert to Plan B. I'm saying where or when that will be, but it will cause huge embarrassment.'

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