Manchester United supporters have vowed to fight any takeover bid after the club's plc board today confirmed a "preliminary approach" to the company.
Mark Longden
United's statement to the Stock Exchange follows increasing speculation that American millionaire Mr Malcolm Glazer is mobilising for a possible bid.
United have asked the interested party for clarification of a number of conditions laid down in their initial approach and insist it is not yet clear whether an offer will be made.
Mr Glazer is not a popular figure among United fans who fear he would finance any deal via a significant hike in ticket prices.
Mr Mark Longden, a spokesman for the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, said: "Malcolm Glazer would have to borrow £600 million to buy Manchester United.
"Ticket prices are bound to increase and if he gets bored who is going to pay the price? You could be looking at a Leeds United situation, times 10."
Mr Glazer currently owns 19 per cent of United's shares but would need to convince the club's leading shareholders - the Cubic Expression consortium headed by Mr John Magnier and Mr JP McManus who hold 29 per cent - of his intentions.
Sources have confirmed that Mr Magnier and Mr McManus were definitely not involved in any of today's developments.
Mr Glazer also needs to win over the same supporters who blocked the projected BSkyB takeover in 1999 after successfully having it referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
They are well aware he turned American Football team Tampa Bay Buccaneers from under-achievers into Super Bowl champions but only after admission prices rocketed.