Reds fans: We'll fight Magnier

January 20, 2004

UNITED fans are gearing up to defend the club from "the biggest crisis" since Rupert Murdoch's attempted takeover in 1998.

The supporters trust Shareholders United fears that Irish racing tycoon John Magnier has designs on the club - and is undermining Sir Alex Ferguson's position as manager.

And they have given Magnier a firm warning - that if he wants a fight, he will get one.

SU believes that the club, and Fergie, need to be defended against a possible takeover.

And the response worldwide has been remarkable - SU had its biggest-ever membership increase in a 12-hour period yesterday.

Vice-chair Sean Bones says that surge was prompted by yesterday's news that Cubic Expression, the investment company owned by Magnier and his partner JP McManus, had upped their stake in the club to 25.49 per cent.

Dispute

Magnier, who is involved in an unpleasant legal dispute with Fergie over ownership of the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, is now just a step away from having to declare his hand - if his investment reached 30 per cent, Cubic would have to make a bid for the club.

SU is urging Reds' fans to resist. They fear a take-over will not only take United away from the "community", but would compromise Fergie's position as manager.

Sources in Ireland have indicated to M.E.N. Sport that Magnier is behind the delay in Fergie's new contract - they want the 62-year-old manager to accept a one-year rolling deal rather than the three-year tie-up his advisers have negotiated.

That is just one more reason why SU feels United fans should try to block any take-over, and they believe that the most effective way of doing that is for fans to buy shares in the club.

Unity call

Says Bones: "This is the time for United supporters to stand together, and defend the club and manager, as well as the tradition, history and heritage of United. It is the time to buy shares in the club.

"This is definitely the biggest crisis at United since Murdoch, and we are working together with the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, the fanzines and supporters' clubs around the world to stop this takeover."

Since Cubic and American tycoon Malcolm Glazer began buying up shares last year, SU has seen a big rise in their membership, with between 500 and 600 fans joining their campaign every month.

Their initial aim is to scrape together 10 per cent of the 260,000,000 shares, enough to block a takeover.

Why would a takeover be bad for United? have your say

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mat, london (20/01/2004 at 14:02)

Nice idea. I'm in SU but I just don't think there is sufficient firepower in the face of the speed of the recent buying to ultimtaley fend off these guys should they decide to do anything. The most likely course is that Coolmore get to 29.9% then demand a board seat (their trading is serverely restricted once they have a directorship). I'm in agreement with those who are saying that Coolmore are in it for 2 reasons 1) - and most importantly to make cash through selling onto someone else 2) - for a bit of personal spite to agitate SAF. Who could/would buy their stake on what is now a pretty frothy valuation? You're talking Malcolm Glazer, Russians or Arabs. The shareholder base of our club has changed so radically over the past 6 months that we now have every reason to be nervous. Khaled, you're not some benevolent loaded foreigner are you...? on second thoughts...

Susan, Urmston (20/01/2004 at 14:07)

Fergie has given united fans what they wanted, a successful team, wonderful attacking play and a will to succeeed. Furthmore he has turned his back on top continental jobs. In return united fans will not accept anyone attempting to undermine his position. Loyalty works both ways

John, Kent (20/01/2004 at 14:08)

Fergie has given his all for united as fans we will return this loyalty and fight for him as he has fought for the players and fans.

John, Kent (20/01/2004 at 14:18)

Fergie has given his all for united as fans we will return this loyalty and fight for him as he has fought for the players and fans.

Jericho, Failsworth (20/01/2004 at 14:23)

Its a valiant attempt by SU, but in reality, they are powerless to stop a takeover.
I seriously doubt McManus and Magnier have the financial clout to buy United. However, they may have some inside knowledge about somone else buying United, and want to make a quick buck. Thats the risk United took when they became a PLC.
Also, dont forget, it wasnt SU that stopped Sky's takeover bid last time. It was the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, and it was only because of the unfair advantage it would have given United in financial terms.

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (20/01/2004 at 14:52)

Mat, Unfortuanately I am not in a position at present to make a realistic bid for the club! My entire village probably isn't worth as much as deigo's alice band! However I understand why you would want someone of my superior intelligence at the helm...................

Head to Toe, Denton (20/01/2004 at 15:02)

So, there is nothing that we nor SU can do? Is their stance going to be in vain? You lot just going to sit back and wait? NO!! I've just subscribed and put B#100 in the share pot. Will sort out a standing order as well. Don't just sit there and wait, DO IT!!!

Remember Knighton????

Mark, Paris (20/01/2004 at 15:10)

If it is indeed true that Magnier is behind the delay in Fergie's new contract then this is very worrying. He should not be able to have an influence on our club to exercise his own personal agenda. Too often these people arrive with their bags of cash and take everything and everybody for granted. Hopefully he will learn, as Murdoch did, that money is not enough when it comes to messing around with a club in which so many of us have invested a lot of emotion and whose roots still strongly remain as a local close knit club, despite the worlwide profile. I'm gonna join SU.

Mark, Paris (20/01/2004 at 15:23)

Jericho- You are right, it was the MMC that stopped the Sky bid. But do you really believe that it would have been stopped if there was no campaign led by Johnny Flacks and the IMUSA lads? These lads had to put forward the basis on which the MMC had to consider blocking the bid and even went so far as to lobby every MP in Parliment to put pressure on the MMC. Without that campaign we truly would have been Skychester United by now, OT would be twice as expensive to gain access to and Don King would be our manager.

mike redmond, Malaga Spain (20/01/2004 at 15:28)

Khaled you could always trade in your bike, and use the money to buy LeedsUnited they need your help but they may not listen to you! more is the pity.

SIMON Johnson, altrincham (20/01/2004 at 15:31)

crisis? you lot dont know your born,if you want to see a crisis look no further than Eastlands,ENOUGH SAID!

Dr. Baker Wairama, Kampala, Uganda (20/01/2004 at 15:33)

How can one get MU membership from Uganda? There are many supporters here willing to commit.

Big Bird, Salford (20/01/2004 at 15:45)

Would it really change anything,should we not just face the reality that a buyer is out there ready to pounce and as fans we`re powerless. Myself I would welcome a takeover if the interests of United are taken on board, and being greedy for success, if funds were made availble for the best players in the world!

Sean, Frankfurt (20/01/2004 at 16:20)

So khaled, should we take that as a hint that you would still take the Chairmans job if offered then???

Mat, I do not think a single vote on a large board will make any difference, they need to appoint a majority of their own men as directors.

Jericho, I believe they have the cash but in any case, they could easily carry out a leveraged buyout using Old Trafford and Carrington as collateral, remember ManU is debt free.

Off topic, but I reckon Saha will be what Forlan failed to be: very fast, two footed with a great shot from outside the box.

Fred Karno, Moss Side (20/01/2004 at 16:51)

The damming thing about Fergies contract not being signed is that RUUD won't sign his until SAF sign his contract. These Irish jokers are just trying to get SAF to back down on his racehorse claim. They may be wealthy but they are not that wealthy that they could even attempt to buy a 51% stake without it affecting their other interests. They would be fighting rearguard actions all the time. Hope the've got Sat Navigation 'cos they don't even know where OT is.

Chorlton Red, Manchester (20/01/2004 at 16:56)

Right on guys, SU & IMUSA have warned about this time and time again but there are still too many ostriches out there for my liking. If you buy a match ticket or a programme or a replica shirt or a scarf or any kind of souvenir...if you bought a Reds calendar to hang on your wall WHY DON'T YOU BUY A SHARE? It's the ONLY way the voice of the fans will be heard. You may not have the cash to buy shares like the Coolmore Mafia but there are 53 million United fans around the world. Can you imagine if each of those fans bought just ONE share? Smokin' ! If you've got a credit card you can join from anywhere in the world by visiting http://www.shareholdersunited.org/join.php (so that's you and your friends sorted, Dr. Baker Wairama) and YES Big Bird, IT WILL change if we join together - United we stand and all that. Corny I know, but you can't knock the truth of it. Let's back the manager, the team and the club and keep these money grabbers of our backs.

Big Bird, Salford (20/01/2004 at 17:11)

Chorlton Red,can`t disagree with any of your sentiments and fully agree that supporters need to take a more pro-active stance,especially on the share issue! All I was trying to put across is that if a major investor wants to take a 51% stake, theres nothing we could do.I honestly believe theres something happening behind the scenes unbeknowst to us to facilitate a take-over, and until further details are known, its time for a sensible approach instead of scare mongering and panicing.

Sean, Frankfurt (20/01/2004 at 18:30)

Chorlton, you are mad. Big Bird, you seem to be the only sane poster on this board. It is inevitable. The only reason Murdoch was blocked was because of the Sky deal. Personally, as a shareholder, I wanted it to go through.

The Rifleman, Peel Hall (20/01/2004 at 18:34)

Head Toad - Rwemember Knighton ? How could we forget. At the time he was discussing buying the club for relative peanuts (even we communist thickos in Wythenshawe could see the club was being given away) a group of us discussed how much it would cost to get 20,000 blues to put into an anonymous fund to offer Edwards a few million for Utd. We were then going to appoint a management committe to oversee areas such as player purchase, choice of first team manager and choice of kits etc - a bright pink was favourite for home kit with a brown and yellow combo as away kit. You know what as long as we'd raised the few million Edwards would have snapped our hands off. Anyway seeing as you are in a charitable mood for rag causes I've got a good one for you. Two young red lads were in the boozer Saturday night. They had finished a job on Saturday morning, picked up a couple of grand from the customer which they were supposed to hand over to their boss on Monday morning. Instead showing an arrogance only perfected in the Trafford area they had stuck the lot on Utd to beat Wolves. Their ghost white faces as they were trying everyone they knew to try and get the money together in tens and twenties was a picture that has kept me smiling since. Should I forward on your details ?

Concerned Red, Stafford (20/01/2004 at 18:50)

I am concerned that if we dont allow magnier to take us over then he may clear off and leave us in it. Whats next the mega store?

Danny Glover, Heald Green (20/01/2004 at 19:15)

Your right about this MrBird as they say money talks and BULL.... walks they are upto something but if its for the better of the fans all well and good winning trophies is the most important for the fans not how rich the club is.

local fan local team, wythenshawe (20/01/2004 at 21:30)

dont forget to get this article posted on websites all round the world so the 52,900,000 die hard reds who never manage to make it to OT in a lifetime can read it

Joe, Boston, MA USA (20/01/2004 at 21:47)

It is so important for the fans to own shares in the club they love. We don't want the power to be in one, whether it be Murdoch, Magnier or anyone else. The club is to be owned by its fans; the ones that support the club week in and week out. We are the greatest club in the world, not because of who owns the most shares, but because of the fans who supports the club. And those who support the club should own it.

As for Magnier et al using this as a personal vendetta against SAF, it's probably their motive, but such a sick motive will not get them this club. They will get a fight every step of the way.

Larry the Lamb, Lincolnshire (20/01/2004 at 22:37)

Don't want to seem topour cold water on this idea but getting 10% of the shares won't block a takeover. If Magnier gets more than 50% of the shares he controls the company; more than 75%and he can pass a Special Resolution to do pretty much what he likes (including liquidating the company) ; 90% and he can force all remaining shareholders to sell their shares to him. Getting 10% will only block this last bit. Good luck.

David Molotov, Ampang, Selangor (21/01/2004 at 01:29)

Magnier need to end the dispute with Sir Alex soonest possible for the benefit of Manchester United as a football club. If not, please just sell your stake. We need Sir Alex more than we need your money.

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