Magnier raises stake in United

Pressure is mounting on Manchester United chairman Sir Roy Gardner to sort out the feud between manager Sir Alex Ferguson and major shareholder John Magnier after the Irish tycoon today bought more shares in the club.

Magnier and fellow horse-racing multimillionaire JP McManus have secured a further £8.5million of shares, taking their stake to 25.5 per cent.

The Irish, who have built the share holding through their Cubic Expression stockmarket vehicle, have always said their dealing is nothing other than "an investment". But the stake-building comes against a background of Magnier and Ferguson being involved in a multi-million pound legal action over the ownership of the retired champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

It is believed that Gardner is preparing to fly to Barbados for urgent talks with Magnier, who is holidaying there.

United shares were up 3p at 258p, having more than doubled in value over the last 12 months. It was also reported today that Magnier will invoke his right as a major shareholder to take a seat on the Old Trafford board, enabling him to oversee all deals, including Ferguson's plans to sign a new three-year contract.

But a club source today denied those claims, saying: "There has been no request to join the board at all. That's not to say it won't happen."