Soccer: Manchester United fans have given a frosty reception to Alex Ferguson's plea for them to call off their planned protest at Cheltenham racecourse on March 18th.

Ferguson issued a statement earlier yesterday in which he pleaded with fans to "refrain from any form of protest", highlighting that his legal dispute with John Magnier over the stud rights to record-breaking stallion Rock of Gibraltar was "a private matter".

Although the United4Action group, who are leading the organisation of the protest on Gold Cup day at the festival meeting, have yet to comment publicly on the matter, another influential group - the Manchester Education Committee - have told Ferguson to keep his nose out.

In a carefully-worded statement, which at key points almost mirrors exactly the one Ferguson issued, they restate their own battle has nothing to do with Rock of Gibraltar and is aimed solely at trying to prevent United being taken over.

"Manchester United is a classic, 126-year-old football club, which people from all over the world and all walks of life enjoy," said the MEC statement. "It is effectively the equivalent of a family member to many United fans and the MEC do not wish this special institution to be marred in any way.

"The MEC are therefore asking Sir Alex Ferguson to refrain from giving his name to any form of statement opposing action by United supporters that they see as helping to defend their club from the predators of Coolmore.

"The MEC repeats that this current dispute with Cubic Expression is a private matter not involving Sir Alex and are concerned, first and foremost, to protect and serve the best interests and further the club."

Ferguson reportedly telephoned representatives of influential fans groups earlier in the week to inform them of his views and, in light of his statement, talks will take place over the weekend to decide whether the action should go ahead.

This will include a meeting today, while Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie has already agreed that fans can hold a protest.

If it does take place, the demonstration will almost certainly centre around the Stayers Hurdle in which JP McManus' Baracouda will attempt to become the first horse to win the race for the third successive time.

Along with business partner Magnier, McManus formed the Cubic Expression group that now owns 28.9 per cent of United shares.

The Irish duo recently turned down the opportunity of purchasing more shares which would have taken them over the 30 per cent threshold required to make a formal offer for the entire stakeholding.

While that move has been taken in some circles as an indication Cubic are not intent on launching a takeover bid, United fans are still suspicious of their motives, as they are of American billionaire Malcolm Glazer, who took his stake in the club to 16.69 per cent with a minor purchase of shares on Wednesday.

Cubic Expression are known to have written to the United board on February 3rd expressing their concern at the damage which could be inflicted on the club's reputation by a mass demonstration at Cheltenham.

Though they were not very happy at the initial response, Ferguson's apparently independent decision to go public on own his views have been welcomed even if it might not prove enough to stave off the action.

"The reputation of Manchester United is paramount to my thinking," he said. "The private dispute I have is just that, and I don't want to exacerbate the whole thing.

"Cheltenham is such a great festival and I don't want it marred in any way.

"There is a lot of concern about what could happen and I would ask supporters to refrain from any form of protest.

"I am strongly opposed to any violent unlawful or disruptive behaviour which may reflect badly on the club and its supporters in general," he added.