Manchester United left embarrassed as official betting partner offers odds on Sir Alex Ferguson replacing David Moyes

Official partners Bwin offer market on former manager making a shock return despite saying he will never manage again

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson watches from the directors' box (Getty Images)

Manchester United have been left a little embarrassed after one of their own sponsors offered odds on Sir Alex Ferguson returning to manage the club by the end of next season.

Online betting agency bwin, named as the 'official gaming and betting partner' of Man United, give odds of 11/2 on Ferguson returning to Old Trafford ‘given United’s slower than usual start to the Premier League’.

According to the Daily Mail, United insiders have labelled the promotion by bwin as 'crass and totally inappropriate' although a club spokesman has said:

"Bwin are our partners rather than a subsidiary company, and we have no influence on their markets. But Sir Alex has made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions recently that he has no intention of coming back into football management."

A PR spokesman for bwin said: "You never know what is going to happen in football. We have a selection of Ferguson betting opportunities following his book release."