Soccer: Alex Ferguson has expressed his first signs of disquiet about the time it is taking Manchester United to finalise his new contract. He has had fresh talks with the Old Trafford board over the last two days but a deal is still not agreed and the manager has admitted he is surprised four months of negotiations have reached an apparent standstill.

Ferguson first spoke about the contract offer on the eve of United's Champions League tie in Stuttgart in late September and he seemed convinced then they were "very close" to finalising a deal to earn £4 million a year.

Why they have failed to reach an agreement is not a matter upon which Ferguson is willing to expand but it is understood some of the United directors have been surprised by the size of his demands and chief executive David Gill would rather the United manager sign a rolling one-year contract than a two- or three-year extension.

Meanwhile, Ferguson's legal dispute with John Magnier over stud rights for the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar has led to concerns about his role at the club if the multi-millionaire he is taking to court is serious about launching a takeover of United.

With JP McManus, Magnier has built a 25.49 per cent stake at Old Trafford and, amid a backdrop of political infighting, Ferguson knows the delay is prompting speculation the two matters could be linked. "I want to get it done, to put everything to bed, because the publicity is doing nobody any good," said Ferguson. Of Magnier's intentions he was more bullish: "I don't concern myself with those things."

The only feasible outcome of the wage dispute is Ferguson and his board will reach an agreement. Senior officials have been bemused by reports Ferguson could somehow be forced out under the regime and have pointed to the signing of Louis Saha from Fulham as evidence of their support for the manager.