ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP: Manchester United's chief executive David Gill and group finance director Nick Humby held a crisis meeting in London yesterday to draw up responses to the 63 questions submitted by John Magnier and JP McManus, the club's largest shareholders.

It is United's latest attempt to end the feud between the Irish pair and Alex Ferguson.

The queries issued through their Cubic Expression company relate to recent transfer deals, the use of agents, financial matters at the club and issues of corporate governance.

The Irish pair are angry that they have not received a reply to the 63 questions, but sources close to them indicated yesterday the club would not have to answer on a point-by-point basis but would still have to address the general issues raised.

One source said: "Obviously a lot will depend on how well the club responds to the questions. We have raised a number of issues in the questions and will be looking to see if those are adequately addressed."

Gill and Humby also discussed the internal inquiry into recent transfers that United have promised to hold. That will be led by Humby, who is to draw up a list of interviewees including Ferguson, his son and agent Jason, and other agents.

The club will also write to Magnier and McManus to seek a meeting in the near future, but the Irish camp still insists they will not have face-to-face talks until they have replies to all correspondence they have sent to the club.

One of the questions raised is why United will continue paying Rio Ferdinand full wages during his eight-month suspension.

The Irish pair asked in their question over the defender: "Are we to understand the board has authorised the continuation of his full salary (which we understand to be £70,000 per week) as if he is playing while he is, in fact, suspended?"

United's manager insisted yesterday the player would continue to be paid, which is sure to anger Magnier and McManus further.

Ferguson also revealed that Ferdinand would continue training during his suspension.

He said: "Rio will keep on training. Some players have been out injured, Roy Keane was out for a year, Wes Brown was out for a year, so they had worse situations than Rio finds himself in.

"At least he will be able to train. The other lads had to go into the gymnasium every day. They had to work their tripe off to get themselves back, so that is where motivation comes into it."

United, in a further move to appease Magnier and McManus, look increasingly likely to offer Ferguson a one-year rolling contract which he is expected to sign this week.

The club initially planned to offer Ferguson a two-year extension that would have kept him at Old Trafford until 2007. But Magnier and McManus were opposed to this.

The Irish pair, who own 25.49 per cent of United, are adamant that details of Ferguson's new contract be published in a statement to the British stock exchange. They want to see information about his salary, length of the deal and any notice period on either side.

They have threatened to call an emergency general meeting if United offer Ferguson a contract longer than one year.

The pair also insist that a full, independent investigation be carried out into recent transfer deals and are unhappy that the one announced by United will be carried out by a club director.

The Irish are also dismayed that the investigation will not be completed until June and that parts of it will not be made public.

Meanwhile, a leading financial expert believes Manchester United's board of directors as well as Ferguson could be forced out following the turf war with Magnier and McManus.

Henk Potts, of Barclays Stockbrokers, believes Magnier and McManus are ready to flex their muscles again and change the landscape at Old Trafford.

Potts, an equity strategist, said: "I certainly believe that Magnier and McManus will make a full bid for Manchester United. They are in a fantastic position as they own a quarter of the company.

"You wouldn't want to own 25 per cent of Manchester United as an investment - you would want to own all of Manchester United or you would try and make a profit.

"It is unlikely they would make a profit on the investment they have made, given the prices they have paid. I would suggest their holding is very much strategic rather than investment and the base for them to come in and make a full bid for Manchester United.

"We are going away from Plcs and going back to rich businessmen taking over football once again. I can see them taking control and running the club in a different way. When that happens they will remember who their friends were and who exactly didn't help them out. The board members and Sir Alex Ferguson may find their job prospects limited.

"There is a lot of animosity revolving around Rock of Gibraltar which has spilled over into the corporate relationship between the large shareholders, like Magnier and McManus, about the way United has been run.

"If there weren't problems with Rock of Gibraltar perhaps these type of issues could have been resolved a bit more amicably and a little less publicly."

It is understood United are being urged to post agents' fees at the closure of the two transfer windows, should there have been any movement in the market. Potts said that would be the correct action to take. - Guardian Service