Red Knights Group Pursuing ManU Already Has 60 Wealthy Investors

A Group Of 60 Investors Have Pledged Up To US$2.25B In Their Bid To Buy ManU

Sixty "super-rich investors have pledged up to" US$2.25B "in their bid to seize control" of EPL club Manchester United, according to Eason & Power of the LONDON TIMES. While the Glazer family has "insisted that the champions are not for sale," the leaders of the Red Knights investment group were expected to meet this Friday to "sift through a rich list of applicants ready to back a buyout." One investor said, "We thought we had 40 investors -- well, it is already 60" (LONDON TIMES, 3/5). In London, Paul Kelso reports offers of financial support for the Red Knights "have come from around the world encouraging the consortium to continue developing its plans despite a stinging attack from" ManU CEO David Gill, who earlier this week denied that the Glazers would consider selling the club. Sources close to the Red Knights Thursday said that they were "undeterred by Gill's comments and would continue to work on a proposal to put before" the Glazers (London TELEGRAPH, 3/5).

OFFERS REJECTED: ESPN SOCCERNET's Harry Harris reported the Glazers "have turned down" a US$1.5B-plus cash offer to sell ManU. A source said, "They have had two cash offers, although I am not prepared to say how much or who from. ... The offers were recent, and the Glazers made it perfectly clear -- the club is not for sale." The offers reportedly were from China and the Middle East, respectively. But the Glazers "refused to put a price on the club and did not even seek an even bigger bid." The source added, "People are puzzled why they are refusing to cash in, but it's simple: they think it is a good business and they like the club. They are very confident that it can be even more successful in the future both on and off the pitch" (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 3/4).