🚨⚽️ A dispute involving Sir Alex Ferguson and a racehorse played a significant role in the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United in 2005. 🐎 Ferguson became embroiled in a legal dispute with Irish businessman and major United shareholder John Magnier over the ownership and lucrative stud rights of champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar. Ferguson believed he was entitled to a 50% share, but Magnier contested the claim, sparking a bitter fallout between the two. The dispute escalated, with Magnier and fellow shareholder JP McManus challenging Ferguson's position and calling for scrutiny of United's transfer dealings. Although the legal battle was eventually settled out of court, relations had deteriorated beyond repair. In May 2005, Magnier and McManus sold their combined 28.7% stake in Manchester United to Malcolm Glazer, providing the breakthrough he needed to secure control of the club. The Glazers went on to complete a heavily debt-financed takeover that transformed Manchester United's ownership and finances, arguably laying the foundations for the club's decline into the laughing stock it has become on the pitch today.