Surf & turf: Magnier chills out as Ferguson's son bows out

Alan Nixon,Jon Culley
Monday 02 February 2004 01:00 GMT
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Jason Ferguson, son of the Manchester United manager, said yesterday he was prepared to give up his lucrative work as a football agent, citing anguish caused by the bitter row between his father and the Irish millionaire, John Magnier.

Mr Ferguson Jnr told friends he has "had enough" of the dispute that is ripping Manchester United apart. He said he was distressed by the way his role in transfers had become a contentious part of the argument between his father, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Mr Magnier, the club's largest shareholder.

Mr Ferguson has become embroiled in the row, which began as a dispute over the millions of pounds in stud fees earned by the champion racehorse Rock of Gilbraltar, which Sir Alex used to co-own with Mr Magnier's wife, Sue.

Mr Magnier and his business partner, J P McManus, who own 25.49 per cent of United, have asked club directors to provide written answers to 99 questions about several transfers, including those of Jaap Stam, Juan Sebastian Veron, Tim Howard, David Bellion, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kleberson.

They are said to want to know how United conduct their business, especially in transfers, amid reports that Jason Ferguson and business associates, had made financial gains from some.

The manager's son has said his £700,000 house in Cheshire has been targeted by people looking through his bins and allegedly stealing his mail. The United manager was reported to be meeting his lawyers in Dublin yesterday to discuss a possible deal that would end his legal action against Mr Magnier, in which he is claiming half of the stud fees.

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