Irish turn up heat

Manchester United will come under pressure to publish the details of Sir Alex Ferguson's new contract in a clear statement to the Stock Exchange because major shareholders are determined there should be no fudge on the issue.

Standard Sport understands that Irish multi-millionaires John Magnier and JP McManus are keen to see Ferguson's salary, the length of the deal and any notice period from either side made clear to the City and the public.

Ferguson is expected this week to sign a one-year rolling contract worth around £ 4million a year. This is likely to be seen as a victory for the Irish duo as negotiations over the deal were previously thought to be based on a two-year fixed-term extension until 2007, that would have been backdated until this summer which would have made it effectively a new three-year deal.

The United manager appears ready to accept a rolling deal, indicating that it will help him remain competitive.

The two horseracing tycoons, who are locked in a battle with the United board over the running of the club, are keen for the manager's new contract to be dealt with under corporate governance guidelines issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

The combined code recommends board members are not awarded deals longer than one year. While Ferguson is not a member of United's board, the guidelines can be applied to senior employees who have a major say over investments.

The two men who have invested £120m in British football's most successful club are determined to see an independent inquiry to study the 63 questions they have asked the board about how the club is run. It is understood that United's decision yesterday to launch an internal investigation into how they have conducted recent transfers will not satisfy the duo.

Magnier and McManus, however, are waiting to see what happens over Ferguson's contract before deciding on their next move. They have the option of calling an extraordinary general meeting of the club and urging a resolution for an independent inquiry.