Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has appealed to the team's fans not to protest against Irish tycoon John Magnier's involvement in the club at next month's Cheltenham Festival race meeting.

"I just urge the fans to go and respect it as a racing venue. The private dispute I've got (with Magnier) is purely private and we just don't want to exacerbate the whole thing," Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

"I have been thinking about this and there is a lot of concern about it when you read (about) all the various action groups. I spoke to one or two the other day about it."

Ferguson is involved in a dispute with Magnier, who along with fellow racehorse owner and Irishman J P McManus owns almost 29 percent of the shares in United, over the stud rights of champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

A section of fans oppose Magnier's involvement in United, claiming he does not have the interests of the club at heart.

DEMONSTRATION

They launched a demonstration at a race meeting at Hereford and have been given approval to stage a protest on Gold Cup day at the flagship national hunt meeting at Cheltenham.

"My concern is that Cheltenham is such a great festival," Ferguson said. "It's our FA Cup final, really, in racing terms.

"There are people from all over the world coming along and therefore the reputation of Manchester United is paramount to my thinking about it."

United said in a statement that Ferguson was "asking supporters to refrain from any form of protest and he is strongly opposed to any violent, unlawful or disruptive behaviour, which may reflect badly on the club and its supporters in general.

"Sir Alex also knows that this is the view of the Manchester United board, who have previously urged fans not to participate in any disruptive or criminal activities.

"Sir Alex repeats that his current dispute with John Magnier is a private matter not involving the club and its supporters and he is concerned first and foremost to protect and serve the best interests and further success of the club."