Shareholders unite to stop takeover bid

Pressure group Shareholders United are stepping up their bid to try to prevent a possible Manchester United takeover.

They are urging supporters to buy shares in an effort to ward off potential suitors.

Cubic Expression, comprising JP McManus and John Magnier, and US businessman Malcolm Glazer have steadily increased their stake in recent months.

That has led to speculation that United will be the subject of a takeover bid by either party or an outsider.

Shareholders United, who say their relationship with the plc is good, have become alarmed and are mounting an aggressive shares campaign, which started when they addressed supporters in Belfast last night.

“Our membership has risen 500% in the past year to 10,000. Now we want to reach 100,000 in the next 12 months,” said SU vice-chairman Sean Bones.

“It is important for supporters to buy shares because brick by brick we build a wall. If we could have 100,000 fans linking together, the club would have to listen to the wishes of its customers.”