Glazers say it's 'business as usual' despite stroke

The Glazer family insist it is still ‘business as usual’ at Manchester United despite Malcolm Glazer’s stroke.

Glazer spent eight days in the exclusive Cleveland Clinic in Florida after he suffered the stroke on Easter Sunday. It has left him with a speech impairment and loss of mobility in his right arm and leg.

However, sources close to the Glazer camp have confirmed the 78-year-old’s life is not in any danger and he remains mentally alert.

They are also adamant Glazer’s health concerns will have no effect on the day-to-day running of Old Trafford.

“The key thing is Malcolm has left hospital after only eight days,” said the source.

“His speech and mobility have been impaired but mentally, he is 100% alert and his life is not in danger. As far as Manchester United is concerned, it is business as usual.”

Even though his name underpinned the United takeover, Glazer has left liaison with chief executive David Gill and his fellow Manchester-based directors to sons Joel, Avi and Bryan.

Nevertheless, the news will come as a shock to fans of both United and Glazer’s NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At no stage over the past week has there been any indication Glazer was ill, let alone hospitalised, emphasising the secretive nature of the Florida-based family, who caused such consternation among sections of the United support when he completed his £790m (€1.1bn) buy-out last summer.

“On behalf of the entire Glazer family, I want to tank everyone at the Cleveland Clinic for their outstanding care,” said Joel Glazer.

“My father’s spirits are high and doctors expect his condition to improve with rehabilitation.”

It is now likely Glazer will undergo further physiotherapy sessions aimed at recovering most, if not all, the movement he has lost.