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Docherty: United's soul has been sold

FORMER Manchester United boss Tommy Docherty has revealed his concerns at the club's proposed takeover by American tycoon Malcolm Glazer.

Glazer is within touching distance of completing his '790million buy-out of United after capturing the key stake of Irish racing tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus.

The purchase - cash up front at '3 per share, which is believed to have netted Magnier and McManus an '80million profit on their investment - has instantly turned Glazer into a majority shareholder at 56.9%.

Docherty, however, does not think Glazer has the club's interest at heart with today's move.

He said: "The man has almost bought the club, and he knows nothing about football.

"I think he will recoup his money as quick as he possibly can, no matter who it involves, and no matter who it hurts.

"Manchester United's heart and soul has been sold today. It has changed for ever today."

Docherty, who was in charge at Old Trafford from 1972-77, added on the ITV News Channel: "The players will just go on playing because they are under contract to do that.

"I don't think it will really affect the players who the boss is, or who owns the club.

"But I think the people like Alex Ferguson and the administration side of the club, it will be a different kettle of fish for them."

Do you agree? Have your say.

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IF desperate times call for desperate measures, then maybe we shouldn't fear Glazer's takeover quite so much. Face it, we are falling farthur behind the top of the league with no end to the free-fall in sight. We have a past it's prime midfield, other needs (wing & goal), little cash, and most young players heading for London if they could choose (See Robben). I am an American who has been a United supporter for almost 17 years. I also grew up a Tampa Bay Bucs fan. We were the laughingstock of the NFL for many, many years until Glazer came in. He brought us respectability and a title. More importantly, he did it in creative ways fans and the league didn't see coming. I hate the idea of messing with tradition, and would rather he leave the Reds alone, but I would also rather we were competitive and winning real silverware (FA Cup Finals is better than nothing, but....). We need to decide if this period is just a downturn that will soon be corrected, or if this is the beginning of a long-term trend in modern footaball. If it's short-term, then we lave it alone. But, if it's a long-term trend, then we MUST CHANGE or will we be happy every year to scrap for a #4 League spot and brag about our past like Liverpool (current Champions League Standing aside). I know the history, I understand the fear of change, but I fear too many reds are sticking their heads in the sand and saying we will get back to the top on faith alone. WHATDOYATHINK?

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What a massive shame...
A bloke who couldn't care less about footy taking over at Manyoo, fans burning their season ticket application forms OUTSIDE the ground - unfortunately (build a bonfire) and hot dogs replacing the pies. Tut, tut, tut. Never mind hey? Get in touch with the fans who created AFC Wimbledon and get some tips from them.

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Well that`s the end. I will quit my interest in football. This was just to much. This club is over and out. In the mean time it looks like the Chelsea have John Obi Mikel in custody. Is anybody here following what is going on in this matter. It is been given serious attention in the norwegian press. Football, agents, owners, players, lawyers... its all a mess. I hate the hole idea about football just now.
Now the biggest club in world are in the hands of an american who knows nothing about football. Rio got busted driving to fast, maby he was trying to get the hell out of manchester, what do I know. Anyway, it was great while it lasted. Now it is all over.

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Players donate your bonus and wages to help the cause, this is a disaster for the love of the club and the people of Manchester and the world citzens of Manchester. I know 55 000 000 pounds is alot of money but please someone somewhere

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As usual Tommy Doc wheels out even more rubbish.....
Manchester United has changed since 1977 or has nobody told Tommy ??? It is now a global business and needs Malcolm Glazier because he has the expertise to make it the best in the new world of Football Inc.
Dear Old Tommy should potter on making a bob or two with his interviews and appearances which I dont begrudge at all, but leave the modern football world to the Glaziers who know how to make these things work and have proved it time & time again.
At least we will have a trafser fund instead of being told by the PLC gravy train that the worlds riches club has no money to spend on new players !!!!!!!

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Uniteds soul was sold years ago when they went plc,their fans loved it then because it meant they would come rich quick and with it it would bring success,of course it did but GREED breeds contempt and when you are prepared to swim with sharks you will get bitten as MUFC plc have been by Glazer but its the fans who are the big losers it is them who have spent hard earned cash over the last 15 years or more and sadly it was them who were hoodwinked into believing the United Empire would never fall,it hasn't quite happened yet but bleak days are surely not far away for them.I dont have much sympathy for the prawn sandwich brigade who desert their home town teams in far away places for manufactured success on the pitch and it has to be said THEY WERE QUITE HAPPY TO SEE THEIR BELOVED CLUB GO plc,now they dont like it! In Greek Mythology there was a famous line of THE GIANT BECAME SO BIG IT ATE ITSELF, yes it seems appropriate for MUFC these words and just how United get out of this one remains to be seen.Finally if the United carry out their threat (which I doubt) of not going again to a game at Old Trafford Glazer should cancel the proposed extension of the stadium he now owns because it will never be full again whilst he is there but personally most United fans are gullable and Mr Glazer knows that, he is no mug,for his own means obviously and thats why the united fans dont like him,BUT what can they do about it? NOTHING I'm AFRAID BECAUSE MONEY TALKS LOUDLY!

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good call craven i'm with you if it's not broke don't fix it ,but it is .................what else we gonna do

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It seems us Craven's have a similar view!

Malcom G is a business man, he wants to make money just like every other human on the planet. He is not going to spend around B#500m of his own money and then borrow another B#300m to buy a club... then just walk out leaving it in debt!!! He want's to make money and to do so he needs to make the club successful.

Look at Chelsea, they have not got a business man in charge, but a mad Russian who throws his money away. They are nearly B#100m in debt and that is only after 2 years!! Roman is no business man and I am sure that he is the kind of person that would decide to leave Chelsea in debt as soon as he got fed up. They are the fans that should be worried.

Man U have slipped over the last few years, from an excellent attacking team feared for their quick attacks, to this so called Euro style football trash! We have failed to get some of the best players (Robben, Duff, Ronaldhino) due to their not being enough money??? When Real who are constantly in debt get them all.

So it's time to see a change! Glazier will not leave until Man U are worth twice as much as when he bought them and when we have made Chelski look like a second rate team.

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