Despite the assertions of loyalty and job security put out by the City hierarchy regarding their manager Roberto Mancini, the Italian could be in danger of bankrupting himself in the eyes of the Eastlands faithful through his continuing failure to produce a side whose sparkle matches the bling it took to recruit them.

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Jackson was already known to United's hierarchy after producing sculptures of former manager Matt Busby and the legendary playing trio of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.

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The financial problems have also impacted upon the hierarchy at the club, with chief executive Peter Storrie and manager Avram Grant claiming last week that they had been unaware of negotiations concerning the sale of Kaboul and Begovic.

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And Newcastle's hierarchy must now indulge in serious soul-searching after a season that saw Kevin Keegan's reign as manager end in acrimony and Joe Kinnear's surprise temporary appointment, which ended prematurely after he suffered health problems.

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