American football tycoon ups Man Utd stake

Manchester United says the owner of American Super Bowl Football champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has raised his stake in United…

Manchester United says the owner of American Super Bowl Football champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has raised his stake in United to 5.92 per cent.

Mr Malcolm Glazer had previously owned a 3.2 per cent stake. His 5.92 per cent shareholding makes him Manchester United's fifth biggest investor.

But the club said on Monday it had not received any approaches, as it posted a 22 per cent rise in annual profits.

Speculation has been rife that a wealthy investor like Mr Roman Abramovich, who recently bought Chelsea football club, might bid for the English football champions, attracted by the cash pile and strong cash generation.

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Irish racehorse magnates Mr JP McManus and Mr John Magnier are the biggest shareholders with an 11.4 per cent stake, ahead of broadcaster BSkyB's 9.9 per cent and mining magnate Mr Harry Dobson's 6.6 per cent.

Manchester United shares closed up 1/2 penny at 196-1/2 pence yesterday, valuing the club at £509 million.