Angry Manchester United fans protest outside the stadium in Old Trafford following the news that that US business tycoon Malcolm Glazer has launched a formal takeover bid for the club after upping his share of the club to 70 per cent by securing the 28.7 per cent stake of Irish racing tycoons JP McManus and John Magnier. The Chairman of United fans’ pressure group, Shareholders United, said he had ripped up his season ticket. "I am very sad - I still love the club but I refuse to put a penny into the company. And I believe as many as 20,000 fans may also leave Man Utd." An estimated 2-3,000 fans gathered at the stadium after hearing the news. Some marched around the ground with a huge "Not For Sale" banner, and there was also a "sit-down" protest with fans blocking a main road next to Old Trafford. Effigies of Glazer and season-ticket renewal forms were also burned in gestures of defiance. Supporters are deeply concerned about the level of debt involved in Glazer’s bid and they are anxious about the implicationsfear for United's future. Oliver Houston, vice chairman of Shareholders United, told BBC Radio Five Live that Glazer is "no Roman Abramovich". Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner, Abramovich, has invested over £200m in players since taking over at Stamford Bridge, and his input has helped another key acquisition – manager Jose Mourinho – to bring the championship title to Chelsea for the first time in 50 years. But Houston predicts a rather different scenario at United. He said : "He’s not turning up with a suitcase full of his own cash. He is, in effect, asking Manchester United fans to pay for his takeover, to pay for increased ticket prices and increased merchandising." Shareholders United, which represents 17 per cent of the club’s stockholders, still hopes to prevent Glazer reaching the 75 per cent level of shares he needs to make his offer unconditional. At 75 per cent he will essentially own the club and can convert his debt into the club’s debt. Meanwhile, one of the club’s former managers, Tommy Docherty, said: "Manchester United’s heart and soul has been sold today - it has changed for ever."



Why the big uproar over this you say? Well in my humble opinion, Glazer in not a football fan, rather he is a businessman out looking for a milk making cow. British fans also don't like the fact that he is American and seemingly knows nothing about the history & pride that goes with being a Manchester United follower. He sees it as nothing more than a revenue maker & the fans feel that if he indeed succeeds in taking over the club, ticket prices will go up inorder for Glazer to pay off his debt. This would be disaterous for a club that is debt free. It would be different if it was the case of someone like Abramovich, who is a football fan and attends the games in the stands.



Two players who are rumoured to be on the move have came back with statements that they want to stay put where they are right now. Andy Van Der Meyde of Inter has said that he wants to fight for a place in the Inter starting 11. Meanwhile a player who has spent the last year on loan at Everton (a club that wants to sign Van Der Meyde) said he would like to remain at the Liverpool club. The former rangers star was loaned out to Everton from Spanish clun Athletico Madrid.

In other football news, Chelsea's Hernan Crespo, who spent the season on loan to AC Milan wants to remain in Italy. Liverpool's Valdimir Smicer, who recently has been more of a substitute for his side has said that he is thinking of returning to French club Lens, with whom he established himself in 1998-99 when they won the French title. Stuart Pierce has been rewarded for his efforts by being named the permanent manager at Manchester City, while in Bolton coach Sam Allardyce is hoping that Spanish defender Fernando Heirro will change his mind about retiring.



Song for the day - "Something's Coming My Way" - FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH