Manchester United chief executive David Gill has insisted the legal dispute between Alex Ferguson and major shareholder John Magnier is having "no impact" on the Old Trafford outfit.
The Red Devils have been beseiged this week by rumours that Magnier had planted half a dozen questioners at the club's annual general meeting in November with the aim of embarrassing Ferguson.
Magnier, who together with business partner and fellow racing enthusiast JP McManus owns almost a quarter of the club through their Dublin based investment company Cubic Expression, has refused to comment on the speculation.
It is also been alleged he has employed the services of respected private investigators Kroll in an effort to unearth details of Ferguson's business dealings for use in his legal dispute with the Scot over the breeding rights to record-breaking stallion Rock of Gibraltar.
Gill must maintain a delicate balancing act between Magnier and Ferguson, who is due to sign an extension to his current contract which is due to expire in 2005.
However, Gill, who was installed in Old Trafford following the shock departure of Peter Kenyon in September, claims the dispute has not affected the running of the club at all.
"We are not complacent but at the moment I don't think there is any impact whatsoever," he said. "Alex is conscious that he needs to keep us informed of developments and how, if at all, it may impact on his job.
"But, as we have said before, this is a private matter for the individuals concerned."