Manchester United supporters do not believe it is "particularly healthy" that 75% of the club is in the hands of only 1% of investors.
Reports this morning claim that the Premiership champions could be the next club to be targeted for takeover by a Russian businessman. The Daily Express and Daily Star say a "mystery Russian bidder" is planning a move for United and that the club could be sold for �500million. Last week there were unsubstantiated claims that billionaires John Magnier and JP McManus might be ready to offload their shareholding. Oliver Houston, spokesman for Shareholders United (SU), the organisation set up to oppose BSkyB's takeover bid in 1999, told the Press Association at the time: "If they are going to sell I would urge them to think of the long-term interests of the club rather than just pure profit. "We think of Shareholders United as the natural guardians of Manchester United's 125-year history and while the possibility of fans on their own being able to find the money to purchase such a significant stake in the club [is unlikely], once we have spoken to our brokers and bankers and friends in the Manchester business community, you never know what might be achieved." Houston added: "At the moment 99% of Manchester United's 35,000 shareholders are small investors but 75% of the club is held by the other 1%. "We have never thought that was a particularly healthy situation. "We would much prefer to see shares in some form of football community model with people holding small blocks rather than huge chunks, which is the situation we have now." ------------------------------------------------------------------ Go fast...faster! Find out more about Broadband Internet from the UK's No.1 provider Visit http://www.ntlhome.com or call 0800 183 0123 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Inkjet cartridges up to 80% off. HP, Epson, Lexmark--we have your brand. Free shipping on every order to the U.S. and Canada! Excellent service. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5510 http://us.click.yahoo.com/QWB0QC/.eUGAA/ySSFAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
