From The Sunday Times:
Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chief executive, arrived in Los Angeles 24 hours before the United squad to conduct what was effectively described as a major piece of business. Shepherd is staying at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, where rooms cost up to $7,500 per night, just five blocks away from the United travelling party, which is based at the Beverly Hilton.
His presence has fed speculation that United are trying to broker a deal to sign England international Dyer, for whom Newcastle last week quoted a price of £25m. Ferguson is also a long-time admirer of the Magpies’ Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy.
Earlier in the day, United had issued strong denials of any interest in Dyer, and a senior figure at Old Trafford briefed journalists that, "we are not doing any business whatsoever with Newcastle".
Cuddly Pete goes on: 'Freddie asked for some tickets for the game. His visit is coincidental.'