Glazer’s guessing game as United fans plan court action

MALCOLM GLAZER is keeping the football world waiting as to whether he has passed the 90% threshold needed for complete ownership of Manchester United.

Shareholders had until 3pm yesterday to accept the Glazer family's 300p a share offer, although one report said the US party already had about 92% of shares enough to compulsorily purchase the rest if they wished.

It is expected the family's Red Football investment vehicle will announce today how much equity it owns. The last update from Red Football showed ownership of more than 76%, although this was before the posting of a formal offer document and a subsequent recommendation from the United board that investors sell their shares.

The family already has control with 75% ownership, although fans had hoped to hold on to a sufficient number of shares so they could put pressure on Glazer, who they believe will saddle United with too much debt.

The offer document posted to shareholders last month also indicated that United shares could be removed from the London Stock Exchange on June 22, "or as soon thereafter as is practicable." Shareholders United chief Nick Towle has conceded that Glazer now controls the club, but the fans group are determined to keep fighting while even the faintest hope remains.

"Stopping Glazer controlling the company is difficult," Towle admitted on BBC Five Live.

While Glazer has steadily built up his holding, SU have fought what increasingly has looked like a losing battle.

But Towle said: "I'm not so sure it is. We can also take legal action. If he gets to less than 95% then 5% of shareholders can go and take him to court to block the special resolution to take the company private.

"He gets control of the company and will certainly end up with more than 90%, that is my guess."

United expect to sell a record 42,500 season tickets before a ball is kicked in August.

The club have already eclipsed last year's mark of 40,072 despite a 10% average price rise.

On the day Glazer's 300p-a-share offer to United shareholders formally closed, supporters appear to be staying loyal to the team.

Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven chief Guus Hiddink expects the future of United target Ji-Sung Park to become clearer later this week after the player reportedly told the club he wants to move to Old Trafford. The Eredivisie champions have warned United they will not allow the Korean to leave Holland cheaply, though, citing the players' marketing value in Asia.

PSV confirmed last week that United had made an enquiry about the South Korea international and the player himself admitted he was considering the move. And according to AD Sportwereld, Park has reached a decision and told Hiddink he wishes to leave in a telephone call.