Glazer distances himself from new reports

Malcolm Glazer has distanced himself from recent ‘informed’ speculation that he was about to launch another bid for Manchester United.

Rumours have been rife in recent days that Glazer, who has already had two approaches rebuffed by the Old Trafford board because of the high level of debt they would incur, had secured the support of investment bank NM Rothschild and was working on another £800m (€1.15bn) takeover move.

It has also been suggested JP Morgan, who were helping to provide funding for the American billionaire until his controversial decision to axe three members of the Red Devils board, would again be willing to back Glazer providing his approach were ‘non-hostile’.

United’s share price has risen off the back of the gossip, while fans have launched a predictable verbal assault on Glazer, as well as bombarding Rothschild’s with rogue faxes.

However, with United currently in an Offer Period for the third time in a year as a result of his actions and mindful of the extremely sensitive nature of the situation, the notoriously secretive Glazer has confirmed the stories contained no comment from his own camp.

“The Glazer Family wishes to record that no statement made in the UK press in recent days, attributed to any member of the family or person associated with the family, was authorised,” said a statement released to the Stock Exchange this morning.