16/05/2005

Glazer secures control of Manchester United

US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer has secured sufficient shares in Manchester United to give him control of the club.

While confirmation on the exact quantity of shares in Manchester United will not be made until after the close of dealing on the London Stock Exchange, to force the compulsory purchase of the remaining shares, Glazer must exceed a 90% stake.

It is understood that he has achieved a 75% holding that would force the club's de-listing from the stock exchange.

Last week Glazer’s stockholding company Red Football Limited secured the 28.7% stake held by Cubic Expression Company Limited, which represented the interests of Irish tycoons JP MacManus and John Magnier. That deal gave Mr Glazer a 56.9% share of the premiership football club.

Fans have already protested during the weekend match with Southampton over fears that it could mean higher ticket prices for games and increased merchandising costs.

Minority shareholders in Man United, fan-based Shareholders United, which owns 17% of the club has attempted to block the bid.

Premier League bosses played down as "almost impossible" speculation that Mr Glazer may try to break Manchester United out of the Premiership's collective deal on TV rights.

(SP/MB)

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