This from The Independent
On the way to the match, as the rain bounced off the pavements, representatives of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association were distributing leaflets spelling out a campaign that could become as dirty as the man alleged to have been rooting through Jason Ferguson's dustbins in recent weeks. "Just Say Neigh" the leaflets proclaimed but, in the small type, supporters were urged to contact Magnier's organisation to voice their disapproval and to attend race meetings where his horses were running.
"These are rich men with a greedy, selfish interest in the club," Jules Spencer, the IMUSA chairman, said of Magnier and McManus, "but they can be stopped just as Rupert Murdoch was. The only people we wish to see owning the club are its fans. No racehorse owners, and no sugar daddies."
Spencer also referred to Magnier's and McManus's "complete lack of interest" in United, but he hoped they would be watching the match on television if only to see the depth of opposition. "Supporters will be raising the roof," he added, "to make sure our feelings about them - and Alex Ferguson - are understood loud and clear." And, in an extraordinary show of defiance by Manchester United plc against major shareholders, the day was choreographed to give the supporters every chance to turn up the volume. Minutes before the kick-off Ferguson appeared from the dry of the dressing room to shake hands and share smiles with the club's chief executive, David Gill.
Press release from IMUSA below:
IMUSA chairman Jules Spencer:
"Magnier and McManus are money-grabbing speculators who have NO interest in Manchester United, are not supporters of United, do not attend games, and do not have the club’s best interests at heart," said Jules.
"We do not want them in control of our club. United fans are the only people who have the long-term interests of the club and its fans at heart.
"We hope as many of them as possible will back our campaign to safeguard Manchester United from these two, and any other rich businessmen, who see the club only as a cash cow."
At forthcoming matches, IMUSA and Shareholders United will be lobbying fans to win support for the campaign to keep the club as a PLC and stop Cubic Expression - the Irishmen’s front company - taking over.
Thousands of leaflets will be handed out to supporters, which will detail the concerns held by IMUSA and SU about Magnier and McManus.
The leaflets also give contact details including telephone numbers, addresses and email for the pair - and urges supporters to attend meets where their horses are racing - so fans can leave them in no doubt about what they think of the Irishmen’s attempts to destabilise the club.
Website addresses for IMUSA and SU are also included, and supporters are asked to invest as little as £10 - less than half the price of an average match ticket - in Manchester United shares, via the Shareholders United scheme.
"These are rich men with a greedy, selfish interest in the club but they can be stopped, just as Rupert Murdoch was," added Jules Spencer.
"The only people we wish to see owning the club is its fans. No racehorse owners, and no sugar daddies.
"We very much hope that despite their complete lack of interest in Manchester United Football Club and the game itself, Magnier and McManus will be watching our game against Southampton, even if only on television.
"Supporters will be raising the roof to make sure our feelings about them - and Alex Ferguson - are understood, loud and clear."
For more information please contact Jules Spencer on 07866 803136 or Mark Longden, IMUSA press officer, on 07887 575933.
IMUSA is the only independent United supporters' organisation, which campaigns to defend the interests of United fans.
www.imusa.org
Shareholders United aims to secure a 10 per cent stake in the club - and a seat on the board - on behalf of its supporter members.
www.shareholdersunited.org