Manchester United’s own sponsors have caused some angst within Old Trafford by offering a betting market on Sir Alex Ferguson returning as manager by the start of next season.

Online firm bwin, who are the champions' official gaming and betting partner, are quoting odds of 11-2 on Fergie’s return ‘given United’s slower than usual start to the Premier League’.

United insiders have described bwin’s PR promotion as ‘crass and totally inappropriate’, though a club spokesman said: ‘Bwin are our partners rather than a subsidiary company and we have no influence on their markets.

'But Sir Alex has made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions recently that he has no intention of coming back into football management.’

A bwin PR spokesman said: ‘You never know what is going to happen in football. We have a selection of Ferguson betting opportunities  following his book release.’

Bwin are in the second season of a wide-ranging, three-year agreement with United that was launched by Ferguson in August 2012.