Although he does not believe the popular, and highly visual, green and gold protest against the Glazer family's ownership of United has any foundation, or chance of success, Ferguson has no issue with the fans' demonstration themselves.

With membership of the Manchester United Supporters Trust rising to more than 100,000, the green and gold 'anti-Glazer' scarves were in evidence at Wembley for the Carling Cup final last weekend and are bound to be at Molineux for tonight's encounter with Wolves.

But Ferguson believes that, as long as supporters continue to support his team, they can wear what they want.

"I have no problem with protest, I did it myself. I led an apprentice strike," said Ferguson, a former toolmaker on the shipyards in his native Govan.

"There were plenty of green and gold scarves at Wembley on Sunday and I was delighted to see them supporting the club.

"We are quite happy. As long as they are supporting Manchester United they can wear whatever they like."

Ferguson has far less common ground with Keith Harris, the former Football League chairman, well-known football deal-maker and lifelong United fan.

Harris is part of the Red Knights group aiming to raise in excess of £1billion to make a takeover approach to the Glazers, whose debt-ladened ownership has been so controversial.

He believes the Americans will only be persuaded to sell if supporters start hitting them in the pocket and has urged a mass boycott of merchandise and tickets.

Yet Ferguson cannot see the sense in that idea, knowing it would have an adverse effect on his players, and issued a curt dismissal of Harris, in much the same way as chief executive David Gill did earlier this week.

"Now that is a great idea," Ferguson scoffed. "That has come from an intelligent guy has it? There is no chance of that."