Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the club's major shareholders over the alleged smear campaign against his family. John Magnier and JP McManus asked for a major review of the club's transfers amid accusations Ferguson's son Jason may have acted improperly.
"I find it distressing," said Ferguson. "It is incomprehensible that I would abuse my position at this club."
The Irish duo are said to have sent 99 questions to be answered by the board.
Ferguson feels his integrity has been called into question by Magnier and McManus who, through their company Cubic Expression, own 25.49% of the Premiership champions.
Among their demands, Magnier and McManus wanted assurances that no relative of any club executive was involved in any transfers.
Claims had been made that associates of the Elite Sports Agency, for whom Jason Ferguson works, had profited from some of the deals.
Magnier is in dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson over the stud fees for the hugely successful racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.
And Ferguson believes that Magnier is using the row over Rock of Gibraltar to bring his position as United manager into question.
Magnier and McManus are said to be unhappy that the Scot has signed a new one-year rolling contract while a review of the club's transfer is yet to be completed.
"I have been here 17-and-a-half years and nobody has ever raised a doubt about that," said Ferguson.
"All of a sudden because of a private matter about a racehorse it is all coming out. It is not easy to take."
Meanwhile, United chief executive David Gill has admitted that Ferguson's dispute with Magnier is now starting to affect the club.
Gill indicated that he would like the matter to be resolved as quickly as possible to limit further instability at Old Trafford.
"The matter is affecting Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson recognises that," said Gill.
"If the case came to a speedy resolution it would be in the best interests of all concerned but that is something for Sir Alex and Mr Magnier.
"Our job is to take a step back from the media frenzy and remember what we have here.
"Manchester United is the most successful club in England, both on and off the pitch, and it doesn't happen by luck.
"We had a turnover of �170m last year and made an operating profit of �50m.
"We have achieved that situation by having fantastic employees in every facet of the club, including Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It may look easy from the outside but on the inside we know how incredibly hard it is."
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Fergie has given 17 years of his life to the club and its most loyal supporter
