After Manchester United F.C. was floated on the stock market in 1990, the high value of the club made it seem unlikely that a hostile takeover would be possible. Nevertheless, in June 2005, Malcolm Glazer succeeded not only in gaining control of the club through his takeover vehicle, Red Football Ltd., but converting it into a completely private company. Manchester United Football Club are a world-famous English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and are one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, with over 50 million supporters worldwide. ... Malcolm Irving Glazer (born May 25, 1928 in Rochester, New York) is an American businessman and sports-team owner. ...

Increasing shareholding

Glazer had owned shares in the club since 2003, possibly earlier.^{[citation needed]} On 26 September 2003, it was reported that he had increased his share to 3.17%,^{[citation needed]} taking his shareholding above the 3% threshold at which he had to inform the club's management about it. There had already been considerable speculation about the possibility of a takeover of the club, either by Glazer or by one of several other interested parties.^[1] By 20 October, he had increased his shareholding to 8.93%,^[2] and on 29 November it was reported that he owned around 15% of the club and had met David Gill, its chief executive, to discuss his intentions.^[3] On 12 February 2004, Glazer increased his stake in the club to 16.31% and the following day's Financial Times reported that he had instructed Commerzbank to explore a takeover bid. The club's share price increased by 5% that day, valuing the club at a total of £741m.^[4] Glazer increased his shareholding to over 19% the following June, although he was still not the largest shareholder.^[5] is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... November 29 is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... David A. Gill (born in London) Is Manchester Uniteds Chief Executive officer. ... February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Financial Times (FT) is an international business newspaper printed on distinctive salmon pink broadsheet paper. ... Commerzbank AG (DAX: CBK) is the second-largest bank in Germany (after Deutsche Bank) and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. ...

Gaining control

On 12 May 2005, Glazer reached an agreement with shareholders J. P. McManus and John Magnier to purchase their 28.7% stake in the team, giving him a controlling stake with just under 57% of the team's shares. He then managed to secure the stake of the third largest stakeholder, Scottish mining entrepreneur Harry Dobson, taking his share total to 62% of the club. Just hours later, Glazer had bought a further 9.8% stake taking his total ownership to 71.8%. is the 132nd day of the year (133rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or company (including a corporation) that legally owns one or more shares of stock in a joint stock company. ... John Patrick McManus (born 1951) is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner. ... John Magnier (born 1948) is Irelands leading thoroughbred stud owner and has extensive business interests outside of the horsebreeding industry. ...

On 16 May 2005, Glazer took his shareholding in United to 75%, allowing him to end the club's PLC status and delist it from the London Stock Exchange, which he did on 22 June.^{[citation needed]} On 14 June 2005, Glazer successfully increased his share in the club to 97.3%, sufficient for full control. On 28 June he increased his share to 98%, enough for a compulsory buyout of all remaining shareholders [6]. The final valuation of the club was almost £800 million (approximately $1.47 billion). May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The initials PLC after a UK or Irish company name indicate that it is a public limited company, a type of limited company whose shares may be offered for sale to the public. ... The Source by Greyworld, in the new LSE building Paternoster Square. ... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Glazer appointed his three sons, Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer and Bryan Glazer as Manchester United board members, to replace the vacancies of resigned board members, some of whom, like Sir Roy Gardner, resigned in protest.^{[citation needed]} According to Smithfield, the London-based public relations firm representing the family, Joel Glazer has been the driving force in the takeover bid and will continue in that role.^{[citation needed]} Joel was said to have been an avid Manchester United supporter prior to the takeover, but it's uncertain if he had attended a match before then.^{[citation needed]} Joel Glazer is part of the Glazer family, who control First Allied Corporation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, and who have purchased a controlling interest in Manchester United, an important European football club based in Manchester, England. ... Avram Avi Glazer is part of the Glazer family, who control First Allied Corporation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, and who own Manchester United, an English football club based in Manchester. ... Bryan Glazer is part of the Glazer family, who control First Allied Corporation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, and who have purchased a controlling interest in Manchester United, an important European football club based in Manchester, England. ... Sir Roy Gardner was the former chairman of Manchester United. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Public relations (PR): Building sustainable relations with all publics in order to create a postive brand image. ...

The future

The Glazer family's intentions for United remain unclear, but it is thought they will try to expand the club's brand name in the United States, as well as in Asia, where United also has a loyal following.^{[citation needed]} Small Text For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ...

As a result of Glazer's takeover, a small group of disgruntled United supporters created a new club called F.C. United of Manchester, which was accepted into the North West Counties League second division, six promotions away from The Football League, and secured promotion in its first two seasons as league champions. With average attendances of around 3,000,^{[citation needed]} the support for F.C. United is indisputably modest compared to that of its illustrious forebear, but this new team is extremely well-supported,^{[citation needed]} considering the somewhat lowly league the team plays in. Football Club United of Manchester (FC United of Manchester, FC United, FCUoM or FCUM for short) is a semi-professional English football club currently based in nearby Bury. ... The North West Counties Football League is a football league in the north west of England. ... The Football League is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales, and is the oldest such competition in world football. ...

Following the takeover, Manchester United has continued to thrive, with the 2005-06 season seeing Old Trafford's capacity being expanded and a lucrative new shirt sponsorship deal signed in April with American company AIG (which, coincidentally, has a large stake in a hedge fund company which helped to fund Malcolm Glazer's takeover of United).^{[citation needed]} American International Group, Inc. ...

However in June 2006 Malcolm Glazer made strong indications that he was at Manchester United for the long haul by appointing his other two sons Kevin Glazer and Edward Glazer, along with his daughter Darcie Glazer to the Manchester United board as non-executive directors. Malcolm Irving Glazer (born May 25, 1928 in Rochester, New York) is an American businessman and sports-team owner. ... Manchester Uniteds emblem Manchester United F.C. (often abbreviated to Man United or just Man U, pronounced man-yoo) is an English football club based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. ... Manchester Uniteds emblem Manchester United F.C. (often abbreviated to Man United or just Man U, pronounced man-yoo) is an English football club based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. ...

Refinancing

In July 2006 the club announced a refinancing package. The debt taken on by the Glazers to finance the club was split between the club and the family, Approximately £256 million is secured against Manchester United's assets. [7]] The total amount will be £660 million, on which interest payments will be £62 million a year. This is a 30% reduction in interest charges.^{[citation needed]} The club stated, "The value of Manchester United has increased in the last year, which is why lenders want to invest in the club.... 'This move represents good housekeeping and it ensures that Sir Alex Ferguson will be provided with sufficient funds to compete in the transfer market." The Manchester United Supporters Trust responded, "'The amount of money needed to be repaid overall is huge.... 'The interest payment is one thing but what about the actual £660million? It is difficult to see how these sums can be reached without significant increases in ticket prices, which, as we always suspected, means the fans will effectively be paying for someone to borrow money to own their club."^[1]

Notes

1. ^ US investor ups Man Utd stake. Article on BBC News (26 September 2003). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
2. ^  US tycoon ups Man Utd stake. Article on BBC News (20 October 2003) (September 5).
3. ^  Share deal sparks Man U bid talk. Article on BBC News (29 November 2003). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
4. ^  US bid talk lifts Man Utd shares. Article on BBC News (13 February 2004). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
5. ^  Glazer raises stake in Man United. Article on BBC News (24 June 2004). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
6. ^  Man United confirm bid approach. Article on BBC News (4 October 2004). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
7. ^  Glazer stake in Man Utd nears 30%. Article on BBC News (19 October 2004). Retrieved on September 5, 2005.
8. ^ Under UK takeover law, anyone who owns a 30% stake in a company must make an offer for the rest of the company at the price at which they bought their last block of shares.

is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 29 is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 4 is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Manchester United official website
• Manchester United Supporters Trust website
• Guestbook Manchester United and Malcolm Glazer

Pakistan Rocks Manchester United Football Club are a world-famous English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and are one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, with over 50 million supporters worldwide. ... This is a list of notable footballers who have played for Manchester United F.C. Generally, this means players that have made 100 or more appearances (including appearances as a substitute) in first-class matches for the club. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Manchester United F.C. Academy. ... Preceding article: none Succeeding article: Manchester United 1945-1969 // The story of Manchester United began in 1878 when employees of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Companys Carriage and Wagon Works requested permission and sponsorship from their employers to start a football team. ... Matt Busby In 1945, Matt Busby was appointed manager aged only 36, having just finished his playing career which had seen him turn out for Manchester City and Liverpool as well as the Scottish national side. ... Preceding article: Manchester United 1945-1969 Succeeding article: Manchester United 1986-1998 Manchester United F.C badge in the 1970s. ... Preceding article: Manchester United 1969-1986 Succeeding article: Manchester United 1998-1999 (the treble) // Alex Ferguson was hired from Aberdeen barely hours after Ron Atkinson was sacked, taking United from just above the relegation zone to 11th place. ... Preceding article: Manchester United 1986-1998 Succeeding article: Manchester United 1999-present The 1998-99 season was the most successful in the history of Manchester United Football Club. ... Preceding article: Manchester United 1998-1999 (the treble) United playing Dinamo Bucharest in The National Stadium, Bucharest, 11 August 2004 The new millennium has seen Sir Alex Fergusons side land more silverware, although they have faced some stiff competition from other teams - first Arsenal and now Chelsea. ... This is a list of seasons played by Manchester United Football Club in English and European football, from 1886 (when Newton Heath F.C. first entered the FA Cup) to the present day. ... The Busby Babes were a group of Manchester United players who progressed from the clubs youth team into the first team under Sir Matt Busbys management. ... A plaque at Old Trafford Football Ground commemorating the Munich air disaster The Munich air disaster took place on February 6, 1958, when the British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at the Munich-Riem airport in Germany. ... Old Trafford (given the nickname The Theatre of Dreams by Sir Bobby Charlton) is a football stadium in the Greater Manchester borough of Trafford, and is the home of Manchester United F.C.. The ground has been Uniteds permanent home since 1910, bar an eight year absence from 1941... The Stretford End, officially named West Stand, is a stand on the west side of Old Trafford, the stadium of Manchester United F.C. It took its name from the nearby town of Stretford, as it is in the direction of Stretford, looking from the centre of the pitch. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Old Trafford Football Stadium. ... The Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. ... MUTV is a British subscription based television channel, operated by Manchester United F.C.. The channel offers Manchester United fans exclusive interviews with players and staff, full matches, including all Premier League games (not broadcast live), reserves games and classic matches plus footballing news and other themed programming. ...