Magnier takes the heat off Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson has received further good news in the wake of his FA Cup semi-final success. The United manager has learnt that his adversary John Magnier has curbed his aggressive questioning of Manchester United's financial affairs.

Sportsmail can reveal that United chief executive David Gill last week met a representative of Magnier's Cubic Expression company, who hold a 29 per cent stake in the Premiership champions.

Magnier, who clashed publicly with Ferguson over the stud rights to the racehorse Rock Of Gibraltar, is now believed to be happier with the way the club are handling their business. Cubic Expression turned the spotlight on United in January by submitting 99 questions about the club's financial conduct.

United financial director Nick Humby is putting together an internal audit of all the club's recent transfers.

As long as the club continue to co-operate, the Irish duo see no need to reopen the bitter public battle, which will be of some relief to Ferguson.