Glazer raises the stakes in battle for United
The move comes just as fans demanded chief executive David Gill deliver a ‘put up or shut up’ ultimatum to American billionaire.
After splashing out £45million late on Friday to take his stake in the Old Trafford outfit to 25.3%, Glazer spent another £17million yesterday afternoon to seal another six million shares.
The purchase takes Glazer to within touching distance of major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus, who own 28.9% of the club through their Cubic Expression investment vehicle, and not much further off the 30% required to trigger a full takeover bid.
It is a further show of strength from the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL franchise, who is clearly not intending to give up on his United takeover dream even though Cubic, whose support he needs to complete a deal, have broken off contact.
Glazer has launched an aggressive pursuit of available stock since news that talks with Cubic had broken down was made public.
His latest move has seen him reach a crossroads over whether to launch a formal bid for the club, or inform the Takeover Panel he is not ready to do so, which would preclude him from making an offer for another six months.
