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12-02-2003, 01:05 AM
Manchester United last night insisted they had no knowledge of a prospective takeover after the United States businessman Malcolm Glazer raised his stake in the club to 14.31%. It was the second time Glazer had increased his shareholding in two months, initially from 8.94% to 9.6% before acquiring the latest tranche at the expensive price of 265p a share. The activity has sparked furious speculation over the US investor's ultimate intentions yet the statements of United's chief executive David Gill yesterday will do nothing to reassure fans that the club has been kept informed.
Gill visited Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Super Bowl champions, at his Florida offices last Monday and Tuesday. But he admitted he had not been able to pin Glazer down about whether he intended to take over the club.
Glazer's reported comment that United is a "good investment" does not preclude him launching a takeover bid within the next 12 months.
Story (http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1097773,00.html)
Gill visited Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Super Bowl champions, at his Florida offices last Monday and Tuesday. But he admitted he had not been able to pin Glazer down about whether he intended to take over the club.
Glazer's reported comment that United is a "good investment" does not preclude him launching a takeover bid within the next 12 months.
Story (http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1097773,00.html)