Manchester United shares delisted

Manchester United shares have been delisted from the Stock Exchange.

Although there has yet to be a formal announcement from Malcolm Glazer’s Red Football group, public trading in United has ceased after 14 years on the market and any further sales will have to be completed on a private basis.

Glazer highlighted his intention to take today’s action at the beginning of last month when he launched his official £790m (€1.2bn) takeover bid.

Although the initial deadline for his 300p-per-share offer passed with the American 0.3% short of being able to compulsory purchase the remaining shares, it is assumed that mark will have been reached when Glazer provides an update on his stake when the end of an extension period is reached on Monday evening.

Once that move has been concluded and the club are brought out of their current offer period, representatives of Glazer’s Red Football operation – in all likelihood son Joel – would be free to instigate the changes the Americans’ camp hope will bring a massive hike in profits.

So far, there has been no public comment on the takeover by any member of the Glazer camp, other than Joel’s insistence they were “avid” United fans.

It was reported that Glazer’s business plan required Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to win the Premiership at least once every three seasons and reach the quarter-finals of both domestic cup competitions on an annual basis.

However, representatives of the American claim there have been various draft business plans compiled and insist the future of the Old Trafford outfit will not be jeopardised by Glazer’s involvement.