There was a sense of deja-vu on the trading floors of London today when the market fell sharply into the red for the second session in a row.

Malcolm Glazer will press ahead and take Manchester United off the Stock Exchange next Wednesday even if he has failed to buy up all the remaining shares.

RACING tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus were €130 million richer last night after selling their shares in Manchester United to US billionaire Malcolm Glazer.

The final verdict on Christmas trading in Britain was delivered today as high street stalwarts Boots and WH Smith rounded off the season for sales updates.

Former UK supermarket powerhouse Sainsbury’s hit a new low in its 135-year history today after announcing losses for the first time.

Manchester United will lack the spending power of Chelsea even if Malcolm Glazer takes over the club, according to a leading City expert.

Shares in Sainsbury’s surged more than 5% today as speculation circulated in London that it may soon face a takeover bid.

Shares in Marks & Spencer fell 6% today after retail entrepreneur Philip Green walked away from the battle to land the struggling high street group.

Speculation that British home furnishings retailer MFI could be taken over and broken up swirled around the City today as shares leapt 4%.

The prospect of a drawn-out battle for ownership of Marks & Spencer grew today after the retailer came out fighting against Bhs owner Philip Green.

A statement issued tonight by M&S after an announcement by retail tycoon Philip Green that he plans to launch a bid for the chain read: “The Board of Marks and Spencer Group notes the announcement made by Revival Acquisitions Limited."

ARSENAL, Chelsea and Manchester United each earned more than stg£53 million from television and prize money last season – at least stg£20m more than any of their rivals in the Barclaycard Premiership — and heralding the rise of a new breed of super-rich club.

A LEADING financial expert believes Manchester United’s board of directors as well as manager Alex Ferguson could be forced out following the turf war with John Magnier and JP McManus.

Reports of a mixed Christmas for retailers were borne out today by figures from some of the biggest names on the UK high street.

Leeds are believed to be close to finalising a short-term rescue package designed to stave off the imminent threat of administration.

THE Irish millionaire duo of John Magnier and JP McManus may soon find themselves fighting a bitter takeover at Manchester United, where they own more than 24% of the club’s shares.

Shares in Manchester United advanced today as a Russian oil mogul became the latest millionaire to be linked with a bid for the Premiership champions.

British Airways made a lacklustre start to its latest stint back in the ranks of Britain’s top-flight companies today.

The bomb blasts in Istanbul prompted a sharp sell-off in shares in London today as traders feared a renewed bout of terrorist activity.

Carlton boss Michael Green’s hopes of surviving a shareholder coup over who runs an enlarged ITV company were dealt a potentially fatal blow today.

Shares in Manchester United were sent soaring today after fresh takeover speculation was kicked off by the news that Irish racehorse owners JP McManus and John Magnier now own almost a quarter of the club.

IT may be unimaginable to the 67,000 Manchester United supporters who witnessed David Beckham’s free-kick at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, but the word in the financial world is that offloading the England captain to Real Madrid would be a shrewd business move.

THE London market failed to break out of a losing streak yesterday as it ended a downbeat week on the back foot. The top flight was dragged lower

Oil prices touched a 12-month high today, prompting fears of petrol hikes on the forecourt.

Granada boss Steve Morrison is to quit next month as the broadcaster looks to draw a line under the collapse of ITV Digital, it emerged today.

The worst could be over for the battered London stock market and investors could be looking forward to a sustained bounce back, it was claimed today.

Investors suffered another session of woe today as the London market slid further below the 4,000 mark to hit fresh lows.

Investors were given an early boost today as the FTSE 100 Index of blue-chip stocks reversed almost all of the losses recorded on Friday.