English FA Premiership: Manchester United have risked seriously offending Matt Busby's family by overlooking them for guest tickets for the English League Cup final in favour of the club's sponsors.
Busby's relatives have kept their counsel, anxious not to damage their relationship with the club, but people close to them have made it clear they are distinctly unimpressed and, at worst, downright angry.
The Old Trafford hierarchy have, in the past, invited Busby's son Sandy, daughter Sheena and other family members to cup finals as their guests. But it emerged last night that the privilege was removed for the game against Wigan Athletic in Cardiff three weeks ago, despite the Football League making 100 top-of-the-range seats available to both clubs.
David Gill, United's chief executive, filled these by inviting sponsors and other guests.
The revelations will intensely embarrass United only 24 hours after it transpired that several players who had helped Alex Ferguson's team reach the final had to pay £72 for their own ticket. A new edict by the Glazer family meant some fringe players, directors, scouts, coaches and senior staff losing what was previously seen as a perk.
One of those players, Richie Jones, was involved in three matches leading to the final.
United are expecting a barrage of criticism from fans over the latest disclosures. Ferguson, for one, has always been keen to make Busby's relatives feel a part of the modern-day United. Sandy Busby is still a regular visitor to Old Trafford, where he traditionally presents a player-of-the-year award named in honour of his father. Busby's granddaughter Janey Gibson read a lesson at George Best's memorial service in Manchester on Thursday.
Ferguson was away yesterday, attending Jimmy Johnstone's funeral, and his number two Carlos Queiroz deflected questions - "It relates to club policy, so you will have to ask the club."
Sandy Busby would not comment.
United have, meanwhile, denied that Ruud van Nistelrooy will leave the club this summer. The Dutchman has been on the bench for United's last three games, starting with the League Cup final, and seems sure to be a substitute for today's Premiership trip to West Brom as Louis Saha continues to excel alongside Wayne Rooney in attack.
Van Nistelrooy's continued absence has fuelled speculation over a summer move away from Old Trafford, with Tottenham and Newcastle already linked with the striker, who is just two goals away from becoming only the eighth player in United history to score 150 goals for the club.
"It has been spelt out to Ruud that he is part of our plans in the short, medium and long term," said Queiroz. "He is part of our family and nobody should be in any doubt about that."
Paul Stretford, the agent whose most famous client is Wayne Rooney, is considering appealing against a high court ruling in England denying him the chance of facing Football Association charges in a public court.
Stretford, of ProActive Sports Management, was charged in June over alleged breaches of Fifa's regulations on agents, including his acquisition of the right to represent Rooney. He denies the charges and hoped the case would be heard in public rather than before an FA panel with no press or public in attendance.
An FA spokesman said: "The Chancellor [ of the high court] also rejected Mr Stretford's claim that the FA's arbitration procedure conflicts with Article Six of the European Convention on Human Rights [ the right to a fair trial] or the principles of natural justice."
