MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Manchester United's chief, Alex Ferguson is going to have to work with arch-rival John Magnier on the board of directors, The Mirror reported Monday.
Ferguson is involved in a legal dispute with Magnier, the club's biggest shareholder, over stud rights to the champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.
Magnier's intention to invoke his right and take a seat in the boardroom is the worst possible scenario for Ferguson, and could ruin his plans to sign a new three-year contract, the newspaper said.
Ferguson was set to sign last month but the legal battle with Magnier led to a delay.
Now he may not get a new offer at all if Magnier decides to exact revenge on his former friend by blocking the deal.
Ferguson is already under pressure to explain the involvement of his sports agent son in a number of high-profile transfer deals being investigated by the FA.
While his son denies any wrong-doing, United directors and shareholders are said to be shocked at the claims and Magnier has exercised his right to a seat on the board to oversee all future deals.
