© EuroFootball.com
Manchester United fans' camp is anxious - the richest and one of the biggest football clubs in the world is getting ready to be taken over by American billionaire with Lithuanian roots, Malcom Glazer, who on Thursday became the largest shareholder of the English club.
Born in an immigrant Lithuanian family, the 76-year-old billionaire M. Glazer already owns the American football club "Tampa Bay Buccaneers", and first invested in soccer in 2003, acquiring 2.9% of the club's shares, then increasing his share to almost 30% in just over a year.
Despite resistance from "Man Utd" fans, on Thursday the American bought 28.7% of the shares from the Irishmen J.P. McManus and J. Magnier for 227 million pounds, then bought the share of the Scotsman H. Dobson, and now with 71.8% of the shares he is the largest shareholder of the club.
So only a few shares, around 75%, are missing for Glazer to practically control the club as he wishes - the American on Friday already submitted a takeover offer worth 790 million pounds, offering three pounds per share, but this is fiercely opposed by "Man Utd" fans.
Fans of the English club, owning 18% of the shares, are trying to prevent the American from taking over the club, fearing that ticket prices for matches will rise if he takes control, and also Glazer may take "Man Utd" off the stock exchange, make it private and rewrite the club's approximately 300 million pounds debt, which the magnate would owe for the completion of this deal.
Although fans protesting outside "Old Trafford" stadium have hope today, analysts believe that it is only a matter of time before M. Glazer becomes the club's owner. The UK government has also expressed its opinion, urging the American businessman to negotiate with the fans, Football Association, and club management.
"We are pleased to make this proposal to acquire one of the most famous football clubs in the world. We are long-term investors and Manchester United fans," said Glazer's son Joel, who is likely preparing to work in the club's management.
According to the "Daily Express" newspaper, team coach Sir Alex Ferguson should be offered a new five-year contract, with 100 million given to him to buy players during that period. However, the strategist himself currently says he knows nothing about his future. "
