AMERICAN tycoon Malcolm Glazer has returned with a new plan to buy Manchester United in a deal which could be worth '800million.
United confirmed last night that they had received "detailed proposals" from the billionaire aimed at clearing the way for a full take-over.
The announcement yesterday - on the 47th anniversary of the Munich air disaster in which eight United stars died - has angered fans who have vowed to oppose the bid.
Glazer, 76, who owns a 28.11 per cent stake in the club, has been rebuffed by chief executive David Gill twice already, most notably before the club's annual meeting in November.
Having had his demand to inspect United's accounts rejected by Gill, he took revenge by voting three senior directors - legal adviser Maurice Watkins, commercial director Andy Anson and non-executive director Phillip Yea - off the Old Trafford board.
The move cost Glazer, who owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL franchise, the backing of his PR advisers Brunswick and bankers JP Morgan.
However, it appears they are again thought to be major players in Glazer's fresh approach, which was confirmed in a club statement yesterday.
It read: "The board stated on December 20 that the Glazer Family Partnership had indicated potential revisions to its previous proposal and that Manchester United did not intend to open discussions on the matter until it had received a definitive proposal.
"The board can confirm it has now received a detailed proposal subject to various pre-conditions which may form the basis of an offer for Manchester United from Glazer."
The club insisted there would be no further comment on the matter until a full examination of Glazer's plans had been completed.
Neither side was prepared to say how long it would be before there were any developments but it would probably be days and weeks rather than hours.
Among the possible changes are a reduction in the debt required to complete the deal from '500million to '300million, a commitment to proceed with the '39million stadium expansion, a guarantee there would be no sale and leaseback of Old Trafford and a guarantee of cash to buy players.
It is understood that the proposals are based on an offer of 300p per share, similar to the previous bid.
Oliver Houston, of the influential fans' group, Shareholders United, said: "The fact he chose the 47th anniversary of Munich to make his move emphasises how completely out of touch he is with our club. He may have juggled his figures a bit but I am sure the debt levels will be the same. In effect, he will be using Manchester United's money to buy Manchester United. It would be a myth to say anything else."
Mark Longden, of the Independent Supporters' Association, said: "We will fight tooth and nail to stop him whatever his offer says." If Glazer succeeds his sons Avi and Joel could play a major role in running the club.
The Irish racing duo and major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus have a 28.9 per cent holding and will be vital to the billionaire American's plans, although they have not had any discussions with Glazer since breaking off contact in October.
Last night it was thought that a group of radical fans were planning "direct action" against Glazer. In October the group disrupted a reserve fixture between the Reds and Birmingham City due to interest from the American.
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This guy is a pariah and a financial leech. HE WILL BLEED OUR CLUB DRY. If you want united to remain successful you should Join Shareholders United and buy shares to own a part of the club that I belive that you love and care about more than anything else, before it is too late....
Last night was the American Football FA Cup Final, otherwise known as the Superbowl. Where was glazers team. NO WHERE TO BE SEEN, they finished the regular season BOTTOM of their league (NFC South). Why should we believe he will run our club any different to Tampa Bay. They feel that they have been taken for a ride on the Glazer Rip Off Train with false empty promises. Where is the investment in Tampa Bay....Has he made them into a major force in the american football league...NO!!!!!
GLAZER WILL RUIN OUR PROUD AND SUCCESSFUL CLUB TO LINE HIS POCKETS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!
Try searching on the net to find more info about this sorry example of a man. He even ripped off his own family and mother to line his pockets. NICE GUY???. NOT WELCOME HERE.
Radical action of the most serious nature needs to be considered
This is very sad news for Manchester United. I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and was born in Salford. I am proud of this clubs history and was fortunate to be one of the lucky fans that was at the Nou Camp in 1999. The final minutes of that match summed up what Manchester United are all about - fight to the end. This man "Glazer" will destroy this amazing club. He is only intrested in lining his own pockets. Why would we want to change our business model - we have been the richest and one of the most proftable clubs for the past five years. I fear if this man takes over he will not only slowly ruin the club but also end the dreams of many United fans. We are battling it out with Real, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus in terms of history and current success. Going forward with "Glazer" we will fall away. As much as it pains me I will not support or follow a "Glazer" run United. This club needs to fight to the end. I can only hope and pray Mr Gill stands his ground and does not sell us short!
Come to think of it, the Salford Yanky Red Sox or Globetrotters if you prefer has a certain ring to it don't you agree?
the ignorance of the significance of 6 February says it all about that grasping, greedy slimeball. Maybe the board should sent its get lost reply on his holy day Yom Kippur. The amount of debt is similar, just repacked by cunning financial engineering. We are not fooled, nor must the board be. America brought the world Enron, junk bonds, and the rest. Glazer is no more credible than Kenny Boy, Milken and their ilk.
BTW his american football team finished bottom of the league this season.
Its called a business, get over it. This is the way professional sports are all over the world. Every united fan who wanted them to go public so they could "own" a piece of the team should have been aware that this was always a possibility. If they wanted to keep the team safe from an outside party they should have kept it in private hands. I'm not going to cry for a team who got blinded by the greed of the stock market!!! Too bad! Deal with it!
Salford Yanky Red Sox? That is class, Number 6, pure class! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!!
I'm afraid I can't have too much sympathy with united fans. Although as a football fan I can understand their frustrations. As I understand it their club is a PLC and, as such, any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy shares in them. For years United have exploited their global fanbase to return dividends for their shareholders, so it stands to reason that a debt free, profit making COMPNY wil attract the attention of greedy investors. If you put your club up for sale, what do you expect.
Unless Mr G's lawyers are working double-time and working on a Sunday then the decision to release the news on 6 February was one taken by the club and not him. Machiavellian I think is the term we use.
Manchester United fans and shareholders should do everything in their power to stop Malcolm Glazer. The Glazer family have systematically dismantled the Tampa Bay Bucs and will do the same with Man U. for their own profit motives. The Glazer family have no clue how to run a sports franchise. Your proud team with a great heritage and world-wide support will become also-rans just like the Bucs. The Bucs went from Super Bowl Champs to NFL Chumps in one season. Do not let this happen to Manchester United.
Will we have to play 'The star spangled banner' before kick off on sunday? Altogether now" Oh seek and you'll see......." By the way didn't you sell out years ago?
Mr Glazer keep your money.
Stuff it into basketball or some other sport on your side of the
Atlantic.
It is not wanted by us fans.
The man has no sense of the history of Manchester United; and what's more knows absolutely nothing about what this club means, to hom it is only lots of dollar$!
Keep them.
Up The Reds
We'll never have success, never win as many trophies but at least we are a football club. We don't sell our souls for a few quid,yen,dollar, euro. Keep it all, it suits you.
There is only 1 reason an american would want one of the most PROFFITABLE business's ( sorry meant football team ) in its field!
And the hint is proffitable .....
$$$$$$$$$ sighns
Noticed how he looks like golum ????
here's the interesting bit...the exact thing he finds of value is the passion of the supporters...so the more fuss everyone makes, the more valuable the club seems...parodoxical or what.
Ignorance is dangerous! When his first attempt came and like a lot of people I didn't know the score, I said what difference does it make. Well it makes a hell of a difference, the guy knows sweet FA about our game and our club. Just reading the quirky one-liners that these american investors have come on here to give should be enough reason to fight against this takeover. Whether we can is another matter.
This will be a sad one to watch. What this guy knows about soccer? He should fix the Bucs first and buy a NBA team or something, do not come to Europe and do not mess with soccer Mr. Glazer.
now you no who is going to get the 7.900 extra seat its our malcolm !!!!!!!!
The united fans can fight tooth and nail but they wont succeed,you know what MUFC plc have bitten off more than they can chew I hope Malcolm Glazier destroy your divine righteous greedy club. CTID.
Welcome on board Malcolm, and bleed them dry its what they deserve.
Because of location, I don't attend but watch every match on telly.
Can the fans not just give Glazer the sucker punch? That is, do not buy any season tickets, empty grounds, and he will see massive losses on his investments. Also, don't buy the shirts until he leaves with a tail between his legs? Dunno, just thinking aloud.
Glazer's latest proposal apparently ONLY involves plunging the club into B#300M of debt, unlike his last idea which involved B#500M of debt, the SALE of Old Trafford and other very very scary proposals. EVERY United fan needs to be aware that this man could destroy our club. Even if he makes nice promises in order to get control, once he owns the club (including my shares and your shares), those promises will not be binding on him and he will be able to do anything he wants. And he is only interested in one thing - money.
More inside news you will not like...the board is likely to accept Glazers bid......
I cannot believe the ignorance of some of the "supporters" on here, check any of the Glazer related stories, Its amazing over a 100 postings for the united, arsenal result! This is bigger than any of that! plough thru the bitters and you have people claiming to love this club and think were on the verge of landing Roman 2!?! This guy is'nt interested in winning anything! he sees a company and a way to make MONEY!! for HIMSELF!! whos paying for it YOU!! How is he financing this, with the fattest mortgage you can imagine! 800 million with less Debt, this time. HELLO!! notice the key word DEBT!! He's borrowed money to buy his shares already! We don't need a sugar daddy, you might of noticed were still doing well thank you!! "the clubs greedy we could do with a change!" Yeah, get ready for the price of tickets to double!!! We won't be competing with Chelsea!! Leeds they borrowed and borrowed. We will be joining them if this Gnome gets his way!
OMG I honestly am begining to beleive that this leech is going to gain control of our club. I am devestated. How can it be in the clubs best intrests to go from being debt free to being 300mil in debt??????? God only knows what he will do after he gains control. Hope someone can give me some confidence that this will not happen? I was too young when we turned from an FC to a PLC to understand what it meant, but those who made the decision to place our club in a posistion where any vulture with a plan could take over United are the ones responsible for the possible demise of our club. Martin Edwards Maurice Watkins (cant beleive he sold shares to this man) Et al I hope you can sleep at night.