Heated Argument Over Deal

Mansion chief negotiator David Kinsman has accused Manchester United of 'double-dealing' after the Red Devils pulled the plug on a world record sponsorship deal.

Kinsman claims Man Utd had verbally agreed a deal of £70million over the next four years, but pulled out of the agreement.

Kinsman: 'We are not naive businessmen by any stretch of the imagination but this has left us flabbergasted.

'This might be the way Manchester United do business but it does not suit us.

'It was indicated to us that we had done a deal and I flew in from China for a meeting with Andy Anson to that effect.

'It was something of a surprise therefore to be told last night that United had been negotiating with someone else.

'During the negotiating process we had no idea this kind of double dealing was going on. Manchester United have not acted as we expected them to.'

Manchester United replied in a statement: 'We would understand why anybody would be disappointed at not securing the shirt sponsorship deal for Manchester United.

'We have not and do not enter into periods of exclusive negotiation and every party we have discussed the shirt sponsorship with are aware of that.

'All the parties were aware that several discussions were going on at the same time and our priority is to look for the most appropriate deal for Manchester United.

'It's only the third time we have sold this property and clearly we want to get it right.

'We have been having discussions with Mansion, and we are sorry they feel that way and wish them every success in the future.'

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