Shepherd is still ‘tainted’ in many fans eyes. He will never shake-off his reputation as being a big-mouth of dubious integrity/honesty,e.g. the News of the World ’sting’ + Man. Utd. are ‘a rudderless ship’ + ‘Owen has no get-out clause’ !! Shepherd’s judgement has also ben poor in terms of selecting managers and then firing them, usually at the worst time possible.

Why not let him stay-on as just another Honarary (Vice-?!) President? Better still, let him have a free season-ticket for life but on Level 7 (with no lift-pass!) so he can still attend games, like the ‘true fan’ he says he is!?

If Ashley really does want / need someone from the old, failed regime to provide some continuity, then I would suggest some-one like Russel Cushing’s a better, safer bet. At least he’ a well-respected administrator who knows the club inside-out.