Jordan linked to United shares

Formula one team boss Eddie Jordan has refused to deny reports linking him with a multi-million pound purchase of Manchester United shares.

Barely a fortnight after it was revealed that a consortium including Irish racehorse owners JP McManus and John Magnier had taken a seven per cent stake in the Old Trafford club, Jordan is said to have told a leading international finance house to set up a company to handle the purchase of shares in United.

The link with all three is current United chief Sir Alex Ferguson, who knows McManus and Magnier through his passion for horse racing and Jordan because of their shared link with the charity Cancer and Leukaemia in Children (CLIC).

Hinting at the possibility that he has invested in the club, Jordan said: "I am always interested in possibilities where flair and fun are concerned. I do know Alex Ferguson because we both work for the same charity."

Meanwhile, Dwight Yorke provided more evidence of a return to form with a well-taken winner against Thailand in Bangkok to finish joint top scorer on United's three-game tour of the Far East. Giggs put United ahead in the 29th minute with a shot from the edge of the area but Thailand equalised four minutes later through Sripan.

Yorke secured victory on 76 minutes when he stole in to head home from substitute Quinton Fortune's perfect cross.

Ireland's Robbie Keane scored twice as Leeds registered their second successive 6-0 victory on their pre-season tour of Sweden. Alan Smith, his rival for a place in last season's starting line-up, also scored twice.

On Saturday, Liverpool suffered their first defeat in five pre-season games when they lost 3-1 to Ajax in Amsterdam.

Despite a spectacular equaliser from Robbie Fowler in the 38th minute, two goals from Nikos Machlas and a late strike from Shota Arveladze ensured that Celtic's Champions League opponents captured the Amsterdam Tournament trophy.