Cantona slams Glazer

Manchester United icon Eric Cantona has slammed Malcolm Glazer, as the American tycoon closes in on control of the Premiership club.

Glazer is in the midst of an aggressive takeover of United - but has been widely criticised by the club´s fans.

Cantona has joined the dissenting voices, suggesting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner knows nothing about the sport, and that this will be viewed as a turn for the worse in the history of Manchester United.

" I feel far less close to United today," said Cantona.

" I love this club for what it is and for what it has given me.

" But I fear that economics will now become the real priority.

" United have existed for more than a century. It has always been with a philosophy, an identity and a very solid youth system.

" Now there is an American who doesn´t know the game arriving like this.

" I am with the United fans. I am angry and disappointed with the people who have let this person take control.

" This is a turning point in the history of the club but it is not in the right direction.

" We are getting away from the idea that I have of football.

" For me, Manchester United were the perfect example of it. Now they are anything but."

Glazer ´gains 75% Man Utd stake´

Malcolm Glazer has secured a 75% share in Manchester United, enabling him to take charge of the club, the Reuters news agency has reported.
Reuters quotes a source close to the matter saying that the billionaire US sports tycoon has now purchased the additional shares he needed.

Reaching the 75% figure would enable Mr Glazer to take Manchester United private and delist its shares.

Man Utd fans have promised to continue to oppose his takeover of the club.

" We´re through 75%," the source told Reuters.

Television rights

Although no formal announcement was made that Mr Glazer has gone over the 75% figure, a large block of 1.2 million shares changed hands within 90 minutes of the stock exchange opening in London.

Glazer´s US empire

If Mr Glazer was the buyer this would be enough to take him over the 75% mark. At that level of shareholding, as well as delisting, he would be able to transfer a large amount of debt onto the club´s books.

With a 75% stake, Mr Glazer would also leave the holders of the remaining stock with next to no power.

Short of receiving copies of the company´s accounts and the right to attend annual meetings, their shares will affectively be worthless, as Mr Glazer would be unlikely to pay them dividend payments.

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has played down suggestions that Mr Glazer may now try to break out of a collective TV deal to start raising more cash at Man Utd.

Mr Scudamore said it would be " almost impossible" for Mr Glazer to achieve.

´Pandemonium´

Meanwhile United fans angry at the takeover have threatened to stage more protests at Saturday´s FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Shareholders United vice-chairman Oliver Houston told the Observer there was " an appetite for creating pure pandemonium".

" Two people running on the pitch caused problems when Liverpool played Chelsea recently, so imagine what will happen if there are hundreds of people on the pitch in Cardiff," he said.

Demonstrations at the club´s game at Southampton on Sunday were not on the scale expected, but some fans displayed banners.

There were three arrests and one black banner read " you were my life, goodbye Manchester United football club, RIP".

Anti-Glazer chants were also heard at the game, which was overshadowed by the home team´s relegation from the Premiership.

Debt worry

Supporters say the club, which became a plc in 1991, will be saddled with huge debts because of the way the takeover has been financed.

Some pundits believe Mr Glazer will start to look into the Premier League´s TV bargaining arrangement, which is due for renewal, in an effort to increase the club´s profitability.

The clubs currently makes about £50m a year from the collective agreement, but that could increase if they were allowed to negotiate independently.

To make a change, Mr Glazer would need another 13 clubs to side with him on the issue.

Mr Scudamore told BBC Radio Five Live´s Sportsweek programme: " The Premier League is blessed with a very conservative constitution. Fourteen clubs out of 20 need to vote to do anything.

" So it is almost impossible, and we have seen it in the past, for a small group of clubs to come along and achieve an alteration to what has been a very successful formula, both in terms of the way we do the TV deals and also the way we distribute the money."

Campaign group Shareholders United has urged supporters to stop buying club merchandise and the products of sponsors, such as Vodafone, Nike, Anheuser-Busch and Audi, if the club changes hands on Monday.

The group said its membership had increased to 30,000 from 20,000 in the last few days.

Mr Glazer´s son Joel is expected to take an active role in running the club and claims his family are " avid" Manchester United fans.

He has said they intended to work with the current management, players and fans.

Giggs And Howard Agree New Deals

Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Ryan Giggs and Tim Howard of a further two years to their current contracts.

This will keep Ryan and Tim at the club until June 2008 and June 2009 respectively.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: " Ryan has been a fantastic servant and it is comforting to know that he will be here for another three years, possibly ending his career at United.

" To think Ryan joined as a 13-year-old boy and to be at a club for twenty years is unique in this era."

" Tim is a young gifted goalkeeper who is progressing all the time and needs experience playing in our league. This extended contract gives Tim the opportunity to progress in his career."

Ryan Giggs said: " I have been here since I was a young boy and I have grown very fond of the club and the fans, they have been an integral part of my life.

" I always wanted to stay and I am happy that everything has worked out."

Tim Howard said: " I have enjoyed my time so far with Manchester United, but you recognise you are always learning.
" The fans here are amazing and I am happy to be committing my future to the club. I look forward to enjoying a successful time with United."

Communications Department,
Old Trafford, 16 May 2005

Ole Gunnar de retour en août, Rio qui doit prolonger aussi...

Fergie: Ruud raring to go

Sir Alex Ferguson feels Ruud van Nistelrooy will be 100 percent fit for the FA Cup final this weekend.

The Holland international´s injury-hit season has brought just six Premiership goals for The Red Devils.

Van Nistelrooy netted the goal that confirmed Southampton´s relegation on Survival Sunday and Ferguson believes the striker will now be full of confidence.

The 28-year-old collected a knock towards the backend of the game at St Mary´s, but the former PSV Eindhoven star is expected to line up against Arsenal on Saturday.

" If anyone knows Ruud, that´s what he does - scoring goals," said Ferguson to Manchester Online. " The game will have done him the world of good.

" He played for almost 90 minutes and, although he got a knock near the end, he should be 100 percent for the FA Cup final."

Meanwhile, Roy Keane was removed from the St Mary´s pitch by stewards after gesturing to home fans following their relegation from the top flight.

Keane responded to Saints supporters when coming onto the field for his warm-down, but due to safety fears stewards escorted him down the tunnel against his wishes.

It remains unclear whether the tough-tackling midfielder will be charged with referee Steve Bennett not including the incident in his match report.

15/05 21h17 - Football, FA Cup
Ferdinand : «Marquer mon premier but»

Manchester United affrontera Arsenal samedi prochain en finale de la Cup. Pour le Mancunien Rio Ferdinand, ce sera l´occasion d´étoffer son palmarès.

Privés du titre de champion d´Angleterre par Chelsea, les rivaux de Manchester United et d´Arsenal se retrouveront samedi en finale de la Cup. Les deux équipes auront à coeur de remporter un trophée cette saison. Le défenseur mancunien Rio Ferdinand, suspendu lors de la victoire de MU l´an passé, sera spécialement motivé. «Je pense à la finale même si c´est dans une semaine. C´est comme attendre Noël ou un cadeau d´anniversaire. Je n´ai jamais joué de finale de Cup auparavant. L´année dernière j´ai regardé le match mais c´était étrange, je veux faire partie de l´événement. Je n´ai remporté qu´un seul titre de champion et je veux davantage de trophées. J´aimerais même marquer mon premier but avec Manchester à l´occasion de cette finale».

KIERAN SET FOR UTD TALKS

Kieran Richardson has reiterated his desire to forge a career at Manchester United after helping West Brom stay in The Premiership.

The midfielder spent the second half of the season on loan at The Hawthorns in order to accrue first team experience.

He responded to the challenge by scoring three goals, including one in the final day win over Portsmouth, in 12 appearances for The Baggies.

But Richardson will return to Old Trafford determined to prove to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson that he warrants a more prominent role with the FA Cup finalists.

Though West Brom want to take the 20-year-old on loan for next season, Richardson would prefer to fight for his place with The Red Devils.

Richardson will meet with Ferguson and his number two Carlos Queiroz on Tuesday for discussions regarding next season.

" I´ve got a meeting with Sir Alex tomorrow to see what is going on for next season and plan out my future there, with Carlos as well, and it should go well," Richardson told Sky Sports News.

" Obviously I´m a Manchester United player and I´m contracted to them. It´s going to be hard leaving Albion but Man Utd are a massive club and I want to be there to play for them and win titles with them."

Richardson´s form during his stint at The Hawthorns has seen him placed on standby for England´s tour to the United States later this month.

He has praised Baggies boss Bryan Robson for helping to transform his game into one worthy of international recognition.

" Bryan Robson has been great," he added. " He took a massive gamble bringing me here. I hadn´t got a lot of experience and he has been superb for me.

" He has helped me a lot in training and with his advice. He is a great man and has done wonders for me and the club.

" I owe him a lot. The gamble has paid off and now I´m on standby for the England squad. It just shows how well I have been playing recently for West Brom."

C bien la prolongation de contrat de giggs depuis le temps qu´on en parlais j´espere que rio va prolonger dans les prochains jours

< <Si Rio et cristiano pouvaient prolonger ça serait sympa.

Lyn call for Mikel return

Lyn Oslo will ask the Norwegian FA to stop John Obi Mikel from playing in the Under-20 World Cup for Nigeria if he does not return to the club beforehand.

The Norwegian side are furious at recent events in the Mikel saga, with particular anger being directed towards his agents.

After looking to have signed for Manchester United, the teenager went AWOL from Lyn training and turned up in London, saying he now wanted to sign for Chelsea.

Lyn believe the role of his agents has caused all the problems, and they want the powerful African back at the club.

Mikel is due to play for Nigeria in the Under-20 World Cup, but Lyn will try to block his participation if he does not show up for training and a Norwegian league game before the tournament, as he is still contracted to the club.

" They are now trying another twist and that is that he ( Mikel) shall meet up with the Nigerian U-20 national team preparing for the World Cup, early next week," Lyn director Morgan Andersen told NTB.

" They do not have permission to do that. We have agreed with the Nigerian FA that he shall go there after the Brann match.

" In case he does not return home, we will have to ask the Norwegian FA ( NFF) to stop him from playing the U-20 World Cup.

" The NFF are trying to do their job. The agents refusing to let him fulfil his working contract at our club is an entirely different matter."

NFF spokesman Roger Solheim has called for Mikel to return to Norway, saying that it would be better for him to start playing for Lyn again.

" We are worried for him and are hoping for an interim solution where he comes back to Lyn and gets to play football again," Solheim told VG
" We believe that would be the best thing for him. We are unsure of what methods we can use.

" It´s actually up to Mikel himself. But we are requesting that Mikel and the people around him consider the option of returning to Norway and Lyn."

>> J´espère que ça vite se régler ce probleme parce que ça devient vraiment lamentable.

16/05/2005
Foot - ANG - MU : Glazer les mains libres ?

Après avoir racheté Manchester United, déclanchant la fureur des supporters, l´Américain Malcolm Glazer pourrait tout à fait le retirer de la Bourse. Il aurait en effet dépassé lundi le seuil de 75% du capital, selon une source proche du dossier, ce qui lui donne carte blanche sur l´avenir du club.

La liberté vaut encore 0,19% du capital
Aucune confirmation officielle du nombre d´actions détenues par Red Football, la société véhicule de Malcolm Glazer, n´a cependant été diffusée par les autorités boursières. A la clôture du marché vendredi, Red Football détenait 74,81% du capital et il lui faut environ 500 000 actions supplémentaires pour franchir le seuil de 75%. En début d´après-midi à la Bourse de Londres, plus de six millions d´actions Manchester United avaient changé de main.

Avec plus de 75% du capital, Glazer pourrait très bien modifier les statuts du club. Il pourra prendre les décisions qu´il souhaite sans faire voter les actionnaires, en particulier retirer Manchester United de la Bourse de Londres, où il est coté depuis 1991, et s´endetter sur ses comptes.

Vendre Old Trafford ?
Les supporteurs du club soupçonnent l´homme d´affaires de vouloir vendre le stade mythique d´Old Trafford, pour le relouer ensuite, ou de signer un contrat de sponsoring, comme l´a fait Arsenal avec Emirates pour son nouveau stade d´Ashburton Grove, qui portera pendant 15 ans le nom de la compagnie.

Une participation supérieure à 90% du capital obligerait les actionnaires minoritaires à céder leurs titres à l´Américain selon la réglementation financière britannique. Or les analystes estiment à seulement 10% les parts des actionnaires-supporteurs réunis dans l´association Shareholders United, qui pourrait refuser toute vente en raison de son oppostion à Glazer. ( Avec AFP)

>> ça m´etonnerait que Glazer ait la stupidité de vendre le stade parce que Dortmund a fait ça avec le sien et ça leur coutent tellement cher de le louer que ça a plombé leurs comptes et maintenant ils sont endettés jusqu´au coup.

moi j´ai 100 actions . .

s´il les veut il a qu´a venir les cherhcer moi nahhh . .

Eric´s blast at Glazer
Eric Cantona fears for Manchester United’s future under Malcolm Glazer. Old Trafford legend Cantona has slammed the powers-that-be for allowing the American tycoon to take control. Cantona, who played for the club from 1992 to 1997, said: " I feel far less close to United today. I love this club for what it is and what it has given me. But I fear that economics will now become the reak priority. United have existed for more than a century. It has always been a club with a philosophy, an identity and a very solid youth system. Now there´s an American who doesn´t know the game arriving like this. I am with the United fans. This is a turning point in the history of the club but it is not in the right direction. We are getting away from the idea that I have of football. For me, Manchester United were the perfect example of it. Now they´re anything but."

Foot - ANG : Cantona soutient les fans de MU

Dans leur guerre ouverte contre le nouveau patron de leur club, l´Américain Malcolm Glazer, les supporteurs de Manchester United viennent de se voir offrir le précieux soutien d´Eric Cantona, l´ancienne gloire du club anglais ( de 1992 à 1997).

«(Manchester) United existe depuis plus d´un siècle, avec sa philosophie et son identité propres, ainsi qu´un très solide sens de la formation des jeunes, a confié Cantona, 39 ans. Et maintenant, voilà qu´un Américain qui n´y connaît rien au football débarque de nulle part. Je suis à 100% avec les supporteurs de MU», a déclaré Cantona dans les colonnes du tabloïd britannique The Sun.

«J´aime ce club pour ce qu´il est et ce qu´il m´a apporté. Mais je crains que faire de l´argent ne devienne son activité principale à l´avenir. Nous sommes en train d´assister à un tournant crucial du club mais pour moi, pas dans la bonne direction. Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner de l´idée que je me fais du football. Pour moi, Manchester United symbolisait parfaitement l´exemple de cette idée-là justement. Mais à présent, il n´en est plus rien», a ajouté l´ancien international qui a remporté dimanche la Coupe du monde de football de plage avec la France à Rio de Janeiro.

Via la société véhicule Red Football, Malcolm Glazer contrôle désormais 74,8% du capital, valorisant le premier club du monde en terme de chiffre d´affaires à 790,3 millions de livres ( 1,156 milliard d´euros). S´il parvient à franchir la barre des 75%, qui lui accorde la possibilité de réviser les statuts de l´entreprise, il aura alors de fait les pleins pouvoirs sur le club.

Selon la BBC, les supporteurs, qui détiennent déjà quelque 18% du capital de MU, tentent d´obtenir le soutien financier de la Nomura bank, une banque japonaise, pour bloquer la tentative de prise de contrôle de Glazer

Henry est forfait pour la finale de cup

Au moins une bonne nouvelle dans cette période de m*****...

moi j´ai 100 actions . .

s´il les veut il a qu´a venir les cherhcer moi nahhh . .

si il obtient 90% du capital du club tu es oblige de lui vendre que tu le veuille ou non je vous ai pas mal emmerder mais je trouve ca quand meme dommage mais boycotter nike vodafone comme le font les supporter c est n importe koi

One_United Posté le 16 mai 2005 à 19:37:48
Henry est forfait pour la finale de cup

Au moins une bonne nouvelle dans cette période de m*****...

meme sans henry arsenal est redoutable van persie et reyes peuvent facilement le remplacer

je suis bien d´accord mais malgré tout c´est un bon point pour nous que Henry soit forfait.

Fans fume as Glazer sets up offer

Shareholders in Manchester United who have not sold their stock to Malcolm Glazer are waiting for the tycoon to formally send them his offer document.
The US billionaire has secured a 75.7% stake in the club, enabling him to take full control of the club.

He now has the option to take the club private and delist its shares.

Remaining investors are set to be sent the offer document, outlining the £3 a share offer, on Wednesday as fans remain angry at the takeover.

´Black flags´

Supporters´ groups are planning demonstrations for the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Arsenal on Saturday in Cardiff.

" We are calling on all supporters to wear black," said Mark Longden of the Independent Manchester United Supporters´ Association.

" If they can get hold of black flags, they should wave them because it represents what is happening to the club."

As well as urging fans not to renew season tickets and cancel subscriptions to the club television channel MUTV, some groups have repeated their call for a boycott of club merchandise and sponsors´ products.

Supporters are to meet in Manchester on Thursday to discuss their next moves, including plans for the Cardiff game.

Debt burden

Fans are angry at the debt burden the club will face under Mr Glazer´s plans.

Mr Glazer´s £3-a-share offer values the club at £790m, of which £265m is debt, secured against United´s assets, such as its Old Trafford stadium.

A further £275m comes from loans from three US hedge funds, bearing interest rates of up to 18% a year.

" Malcolm Glazer has taken a club with no debt and saddled it with daily interest payments of £126,000, it is totally obscene," said Shareholders United vice-chairman Sean Bones.

" He has no chance of making his business plan work and we do not intend to give him the opportunity of putting it into action."

Business plan?

Analysts are interested to see how he can increase revenues at a club which reported pre-tax profits of just £12.4m for the six months to 31 January, down from £26.8m a year earlier.

It is envisaged he could try and increase ticket prices, renegotiate sponsorship and TV rights, and possibly even seek sponsorship for the Old Trafford stadium.

The 75.7% holding gives Mr Glazer - who owns NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers - complete freedom at the club, without having to seek approval from other shareholders to act.

Holders of the remaining stock have little or no rights.

Short of receiving copies of the company´s accounts and the right to attend annual meetings, their minority shareholding is unlikely to carry any influence, and Mr Glazer is unlikely to make dividend payments.

Legal status

His 75.7% stake means in theory that he can take the club private.

But before he does this, he must change its legal status in order to use the club´s assets as security for the money he is borrowing.

Normally this is a simple procedure but it is possible for shareholders who have 5% or more of the shares to apply to a court to stop this.

There is a point at which Mr Glazer can make the remaining shareholders sell to him.

This would happen when he secures 90% of the shares he does not own at the time he makes the offer. The offer is expected to be made on Wednesday.

Casillas close to Real deal

Iker Casillas looks set to dash the hopes of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson by striking a new deal with Real Madrid.

The Spanish international has emerged as one of the most consistent goalkeepers on the planet and has been targeted by Ferguson as a player capable of filling the number one jersey at Old Trafford.

Ferguson has never truly replaced Danish legend Peter Schmeichel, but felt Casillas had the presence to take on the role as his number one.

Casillas, though, has always maintained his
desire is to remain at the El Santiago Bernabeu and it would appear as if the club have matched his demands.

Spanish media outlets are claiming a deal has been agreed which will tie Casillas to the Madrid club until the summer of 2011.

Real have refused to comment officially on the reports, with rumours suggesting they want to wait until the season concludes before announcing the deal.

It is believed that the deal will substantially increase Casillas´ pay packet, but will leave him below the likes of Raul, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham in the earnings stakes.

>> C´est dommage, on verra pas Casillas à MU.

On s´en doutait un peu de toute façon ^^

Pour Glazer tout ça reste assez obscur. Les gens parlent ( et parlent beaucoup) mais on ne sait quasiment rien. Il vient à peine d´évoquer le souhait d´avoir les droits TV gérés individuellement ( ce qui sera dur mais bon...), apparemment il voudrait que ce soit le cas des droits Internet ( la ça pourrait rapporter gros, autorisation de diffuser les matchs de MU sur le web, radio, etc). On parle d´un trés gros sponsor US pour le stade, et surtout...de l´ouverture d´un casino dans le périmétre de Old Trafford.

Peut-être que certains se souviennent de cette info que j´avais mis une fois, mais ça fait partie des hypothéses pour rembourser les dettes...Enfin on verra.

Le casino ça me parait pas super comme solution j´ai un peu de mal à croire qu´il va y avoir du monde pour aller y jouer mais bon.

Pour le stade, si on doit avoir le Nike stadium ou le Microsoft stadium ou un truc dans le genre à la place de Old Trafford, ça fait peur.

Enfin, on verra bien, il serait quand meme interessant qu´il annonce ses projets maintenant qu´il possède plus de 75% du capital.

Je ne suis pas un fervant supporter de Man Utd mais j´espère que Glaser ne feras le con avec ce club, car c´est un club mythique qui s´est beaucoup appuyé sur des joueurs issue du centre de formation ( sauf ces dernières années) mais bon les frères Neville, Butt, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes etc... sont l´image du club au niveau de la formation.