Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has said he would not benefit financially from the English Premier League club's planned flotation on the New York Stock Exchange.
"In regards to suggestions that I have praised the Glazer Family because I stand to financially benefit from the proposed IPO, there is not a single grain of truth in this allegation," he said in a statement issued by the club on his behalf.
"I do not receive any payments, directly or indirectly, from the IPO," he added.
Ferguson, who has been in charge of the club for 26 years and has overseen a long period of success, is hugely popular with fans, many of whom are unhappy with the way the American Glazer family have run the club's finances.
"The Glazer family have let me get on with my job, there is no interference or obstruction, only support," he added.
Ferguson said he felt the need to address the issue to prevent a schism developing between him and the United fans.
A clause within the prospectus for the IPO, which the Glazer's signalled an official intention to launch in New York on Monday evening, suggests senior management figures will receive shares.
Almost immediately, some of those opposed to the Glazer family's ownership of United wondered whether Ferguson was amongst them.
"Being aware of the media coverage that is currently ongoing I felt, on this occasion, that I should make my position clear to the Manchester United fans," said Ferguson in a statement.
"In regards to suggestions that I have praised the Glazer family because I stand to financially benefit from the proposed IPO, there is not a single grain of truth in this allegation.
"I do not receive any payments, directly or indirectly, from the IPO."
Ferguson's recent praise of the Glazer family raised eyebrows in some quarters.
Many United fans dislike the Americans for running up massive debts during their leveraged buy-out of the Old Trafford outfit in 2005.
It has been claimed the debts prevent Ferguson from spending big money in the transfer market and competing with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.
"Ultimately, I run the football side of this club and in order to do this, you need backing from above," he said.
