The £3m testimonial

While Republic of Ireland players are finding it hard to persuade the FAI to grant them testimonial matches, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is having no such difficulty in swelling his already considerable wallet. According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson, currently on around £800,000 a year, is looking at a £3 million testimonial aimed at blue-chip companies and wealthy Manchester United supporters.

Corporate hospitality packages including tickets to a Manchester United versus a Rest of the World XI at Old Trafford, a concert by pop group Simply Red, a pro-am golf outing, a race day at Haydock Park and other packages have been sent out to around 500 companies.

The packages for the events come in three different price bands - £12,000, £20,000 and £100,000. For the top-of-the-range platinum offer you get two advertising boards at the match, the right to use the Alex Ferguson Tribute logo for advertising and 200 tickets to the match.

It also includes two places at a pro-am and introductions to players like Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara, 10 parking passes and 200 tickets to the August 20th Simply Red pop concert.

Something to put a smile on the faces of John Aldridge and Ray Houghton.