Fans' fury at Glazer move

Furious Manchester United fans last night vowed to fight on after American tycoon Malcolm Glazer seized control of the world's biggest football club.

Around 2,000 supporters gathered at Old Trafford after hearing the news and marched around the ground with a huge 'Not For Sale' banner.

There was also a 'sit-down' protest with fans blocking a main road next to the stadium, while others burned effigies of Glazer and season-ticket renewal forms in a gesture of defiance.

Nick Towle, chairman of fans' pressure group, Shareholders United, said he had ripped up his season ticket. He said: "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."

Glazer has about a 70 per cent share after securing the 28.7 per cent stake of Irish racing tycoons JP MacManus and John Magnier. He is expected to make a takeover bid today.

Supporters are concerned about the level of debt involved in Glazer's bid and fear for the club's future.

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.

But Towle admitted: "It's looking like an uphill battle for us."

Sports minister Richard Caborn added: "Whoever owns Manchester United is a commercial decision, but anyone seeking to buy the club would be foolish not to take account of the views of the fans."

Jules Spencer, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, claimed fans would form their own club. "We will go down kicking and screaming," he said.