Most demand information on the role of agents involved in the club’s transfer dealings, specifically 15 of the most recent, dating back to Jaap Stam’s arrival from PSV Eindhoven in 1999.

The Press Association understands neither Magnier nor McManus have so far even received acknowledgement that the letter has arrived and the only direct response so far – the launch of a ’thorough internal review’ led by finance director Nick Humby – has met with a stony response.

While to most observers outside soccer, the requirement for openness in any payments to agents appears straightforward, such a situation has never been deemed necessary within the game.

The mere fact United confirmed a payment of £750,000 (€1.1m) last Friday when they announced Louis Saha’s arrival from Fulham was greeted with astonishment, while to most neutrals it was the sheer size of the figure involved for a player who had already declared his wish to join the Old Trafford outfit which amazed the most.

Sources in Ireland continue to point out that the current arguments have nothing to do with Ferguson’s legal feud with Magnier over the stud rights to record-breaking racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

The United board, who handed Ferguson a new one-year rolling contract on Wednesday, dispute that claim and Oliver Houston, spokesman for Shareholders United, weighed into the battle with a withering condemnation of the tactics Cubic Expression are currently employing.

“If this is a prelude to a takeover, Cubic Expression would be mad to want to own and run a business where the vast majority of the loyal customers loathe them,” he said.

“The management of the club are clearly annoyed by them and they have also gone out of their way to make an enemy of one of the United’s greatest assets - the manager himself.

“There are two of them and 53 million of us. As any naturalist will tell you, an army of 53 million red ants can easily bring down two big beasts.

“Shareholders United has been at the forefront of calls for greater levels of transparency and high levels of corporate governance at Manchester United.

“But clearly these latest revelations are not motivated by any concern for the health, wellbeing or business probity of the club.

“Rather, it is quite clearly motivated for personal reasons – the ongoing dispute over Rock of Gibraltar which has nothing to do with Manchester United.

“This latest interference just shows how unhealthy it is for so many of our club's shares to be in the hands of so few people.

“The supporters must unite and join with us to protect the independence of Manchester United before it is too late.”