彻底完了~~~~~~~~~~~我心爱的曼联~~~~~~~~~~~已经74。8%了 US tycoon Glazer calls family 'avid' Man Utd fans amid takeover rage
By Peter Walker LONDON (AFP) - US tycoon Malcolm Glazer was Friday on the brink of taking over Manchester United, as he sought to head off mounting fans' anger by declaring himself an "avid" fan of the world-famous English Premiership side. The 76-year-old's bid front company, Red Football Limited, had now acquired 74.8 percent of Manchester United, it said in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange late Friday. This put Glazer on the brink of acquiring the 75 percent stake he needs under stock market rules to take club into private ownership. This would also let him place the 265 million pound (389 million euro, 490 million dollar) loan taken out to finance the bid onto Manchester United, whose assets would be used as security. Three United supporters were charged with public order offences Friday after angry protests outside United's 68,000-seat Old Trafford Ground, while others promised a campaign of disruption and boycotts if Glazer went ahead with a takeover many fans believe will saddle the club with unnecessary debts. In a sop to popular feeling, the Glazer family released a statement earlier Friday assuring the supporters of their good intentions. "We are long-term sports investors and avid Manchester United fans," said Glazer's son Joel, who conducts much of the family's public business. "Our intention is to work with the current management, players and fans to ensure Manchester United continues to develop and achieve even greater success," he added. He did not make clear whether this referred to team manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is reported to be unhappy with the takeover bid for the English Premiership side, or the existing board of directors. Whatever the fans' attitude, a 75 percent stake would mean the months-long takeover battle would be over, although Glazer would need to boost this share to 90 percent before he could make a compulsory purchase of the remaining 10 percent. Even if his stake stays below 90 percent, remaining shareholders would find themselves with few rights, including the possible loss of dividend payments. In details of the bid, the family said they would borrow 265 million pounds to finance the deal. The news will dismay United fans, who fear the planned transfer of this debt onto the currently cash-rich club will inevitably bring higher ticket prices and less spending on players. The Glazer family and Red Joint Venture, a family company registered in Britain, will jointly come up with 547 million pounds in funding for the bid, Glazer said in his statement. In addition, "certain lenders will provide to Red a 265 million pound loan facility which, subject to prior shareholder approval by way of special resolution, will have security over Manchester United's assets", it added. Glazer, who owns NFL franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been stalking the club for months. His breakthrough came Thursday, when Glazer's bankers announced he had bought a 28.7-percent stake in the club from Irish racing millionaires J. P. McManus and John Magnier, formerly the biggest single investors. The 300 pence-per-share cash offer values the English Premiership side at a massive 790.3 million pounds, but it has been greeted with concern by United's board of directors and provoked anger by the majority of supporters. In a statement on Friday, Manchester United said it would wait for the "full facts" to become available before advising shareholders whether to accept the offer. Fans' groups have pledged direct action against Glazer and his bankers JP Morgan, and say they will urge a boycott of the club to devalue the brand and reduce revenue. Supporters' umbrella group Shareholders United has labelled Glazer "a parasite" and promised "extreme measures" to thwart his plans. The club have won an astonishing eight league titles, five FA Cups and one European title during manager Sir Alex Ferguson's 19-year tenure with the club. Manchester United are the richest and perhaps best-known football team in the world, with a global reservoir of support which began in the wake of the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which eight players died, and the club's comeback to win the 1968 European Cup. | 
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