The horse that ushered in Manchester United’s tragic arc | Jonathan Wilson

Manchester United’s latest poor results have revived questions about whether its recurring problems stem from managers or from those directing the club. Jonathan Wilson argues that the decline has deeper roots, tracing an important turning point to a dispute involving Alex Ferguson and racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

In 1999, owner John Magnier asked Ferguson to give a speech after a race, and later named him as a horse’s co-owner. Ferguson believed he was entitled to half the stud fees from Rock of Gibraltar, whose seven consecutive Group One wins made them worth tens of millions of pounds; Magnier said their agreement was much smaller. A lawsuit, questions about Ferguson’s United dealings and a £2.5m settlement followed, straining relations and contributing to a chain of events the article links to the club’s later troubles.