Sir Alex Ferguson has furiously rejected an English newspaper report claiming he is supporting the Red Knights' bid to take over Manchester United. The Old Trafford manager was reportedly in support of a potential buyout of the Glazer family by the wealthy consortium, while there were suggestions he would be prepared to invest his own money in the club if the bid were to succeed. However, Ferguson has rejected any supposed involvement or support in the takeover as he said: "It's absolute rubbish. There's not an ounce of truth in it." A United spokesman backed up Ferguson's words, claiming: "The Glazer family and the manager enjoy 100 per cent trust in each other."
Thousands of fans have joined the green and gold protest against the Glazers by wearing the colours of Newton Heath, the club which predated United. The Manchester United Supporters Trust have reported a massive surge in membership over the last few weeks. They now claim to have in excess of 100,000 supporters registered - fuelled partly by the Red Knights, a group of leading City financiers who are looking to raise in excess of £1billion (Dh5.67bn) to take control at Old Trafford.
Ferguson has some friends among the Red Knights, including leading investment banker Jim O'Neill, and said: "I have no issue with the Red Knights. I know some of them. If they want to try and buy the club that is entirely up to them." * PA Sport
