A Scottish coaching course has been set as the scene for the thawing of the relationship between Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his great rival Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager.

The Guardian says Wenger's refusal to engage over a bottle of wine with his managerial peers, men he feels he should isolate himself from as competitors, has always rankled with Ferguson. So it came as a surprise to him that Arsenal's manager took the time to travel to a Scottish Premier League elite coaches' forum two years ago.

Wenger went to the Gleneagles event as a guest of the Uefa technical director, Andy Roxburgh, and gave his insights to SPL managers and those Scots who coach at English clubs. From that moment Ferguson's ill will seems to have dissipated and after years of refusing to indulge him by visiting his office for a post-match glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Wenger has finally broken bread with his old foe.

Their new bond appears to have been strengthened at a Uefa dinner for 23 elite coaches last September. Both sat at the top table for the social event that preceded the group-phase matches of the Champions League, having been involved in the discussion groups during the conference session. Those present confirm both men got on famously throughout.