Ferguson Tells Glazer To Leave United Alone - 21/11/2004

Sir Alex Ferguson has dealt the latest blow to Malcolm Glazer's attempt to take over Manchester United by declaring, 'We don't want the club in anyone else's hands.' Ferguson said that the close bond with the supporters was important to the club. He claimed, 'I have always tried to the bridge between the club and the fans. I have tried to support the fans in a lot of their pleas and causes. It's important for the club to recognise the fans.' Interestingly, he commented, 'When the plc started, there were grave doubts about it - I had them myself - but I think the supporters have come round to that.' Ferguson claimed that 'There's a stronger rapport between the club and the fans than there's ever been.' In other developments, Labour MP Phil Woolas, an active backer of Shareholders United, has called on trade and industry minister Patricia Hewitt to ask America's Securities and Exchange Commission for details of their investigation into Glazer. The SEC is looking into price mobvements in Zapata corp, a company controlled by the Glazer family. In 2002 shares in Zapata soared on bid speculation. It seems, however, that United is still prepared to offer an olive branch to Glazer. One report has claimed that United could offer Glazer a seat on their board (which he would be entitled to anyway) if he puts his attempt to buy the company on hold for a year.