No Old Trafford sell-off by Glazer

A senior figure in the Malcolm Glazer camp has rejected suggestions Old Trafford could be sold off to raise funds for a takeover bid for Manchester United.

The American business tycoon is considering whether to lodge a formal offer for the Premiership giants after taking his stake in the club to 28.1% at the beginning of last week.

Details of how Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL franchise, would fund an £800m (€1.1bn) takeover have been sketchy, although it is known he has employed leading bankers JP Morgan to investigate ways of raising the cash.

It has now been rumoured that one of the methods that could be used is to sell United’s historic home and lease it back, a move that would be highly controversial as well as potentially financially damaging.

United fans, already fierce in their opposition to Glazer’s involvement with the Red Devils are sure to use the speculation to back their view that the 78-year-old knows nothing of the history of their club and cares only about increasing profit.

However, a senior source close to Glazer has refuted the rumour outright.

“There are no plans for a sale and lease back of Old Trafford,” he said. “It is not part of our thinking.”

United fans are expected to launch another protest ahead of today’s eagerly-anticipated Premiership encounter with Arsenal.

There will be a parade down Sir Matt Busby Way with numerous “Not For Sale” banners being unfurled.

While a reported attempt to delay the kick off of today’s televised encounter is not expected to materialise, there could be an effort to halt sales in the club’s vast megastore by filling the shop with supporters who then do not purchase any goods.

Already, United director Maurice Watkins has had his car vandalised after a million shares he sold ended up as part of Glazer’s stake in the club.

A reserve-team match against Birmingham was also halted by a pitch invasion.

Having gone to the brink of the 30% threshold that would trigger a formal bid, Glazer’s next move is awaited with keen interest.

United are currently in an offer period, so the American could come under pressure to reveal precise details of his short-term plans.

If he decides against making a bid just now, he is likely to be precluded from doing so for another six months.

However, to complete a successful takeover, he would need the agreement of major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus, who broke off talks with Glazer a fortnight ago.