Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson can avoid legal action from Alan Wiley if he admits the Premiership ref is fit enough to officiate games.

The Daily Mail says the referees' union, Prospect, are to write to the Manchester United manager in a bid to end the row that has seen him banned from the touchline for two matches.

Ferguson is understood to have written to Wiley but did not withdraw the questioning of his fitness.

Prospect leader Alan Leighton said: "It's up to Alan, but if there was a full retraction he would probably say it is time to move on."