The chief executive of Sainsbury's has taken on Isle of Man entrepreneur Albert Gubay in the ongoing battle over the Old Trafford cricket ground.

Justin King has emailed a member of Lancashire County Cricket Club, saying the supermarket giant does not support Derwent Holdings' legal battle.

The latest round in the court battle over the cricket club's ?32m proposals, which include a Tesco store, will go to court on Monday next week.

Mr Gubay is seeking leave to appeal a High Court decision upholding Trafford Council's approval of the scheme, saying the council has double standards after refusing his development at nearby White City retail park.

Meanwhile, the club's chief executive Jim Cumbes has accused Mr Gubay of trying to ruin the prospects of future International cricket in the North West, as well as destroying jobs and regeneration.