Manchester United owner and boss Malcolm Glazer dies at 85.
The Buccaneers, an NFL
franchise he also owns, said Glazer was 85 years old, although his most
widely listed date of birth is 25th of May 1928 which would have meant
he turned 86 three days ago.
American entrepreneur Glazer and his six children took control of the English club in 2005 after a bitter takeover battle but have in the past been criticised by fans for saddling the club with too much debt, amid fears that it didn't have as much money as some rivals to compete to buy and retain top players.
Some fans were so angered by the family's involvement, coupled with the increasing commercialisation of the game, they forced FC United, who are now in the Northern Premier League and have started construction of their own stadium.
Many of those who remained wondered what fate would befall their club, believing the debt would be a major handicap in the transfer market and even raise the potential for United being unable to pay their bills.
Yet such apocalyptic fears failed to materialise.
Compared
to many overseas owners, the Glazers have remained in the background
and allowed the actual football team to function in line with the
manager's wishes.
The result
has been five Premier League titles in nine full seasons, plus three
Champions League finals, one of which, against Chelsea in 2008, was won.
Some
United supporters remained distrustful though. For others, the scars
run so deep they will never be reconciled to the Glazer family's vision.
It
is understood Glazer's death will not have any significant effect on
the ownership of the Premier League club, with the family retaining a 90
per cent share.
A spokesperson for the Old Trafford outfit said: "The thoughts of everyone at United are with the family tonight."
Glazer
purchased the Buccaneers in 1995 and led what traditionally had been
one of the weakest teams in the National Football League to its first
Super Bowl championship eight years later.
"A
dynamic business leader, Glazer helped mold the Buccaneers into a model
franchise and one respected league-wide," the Buccaneers said in a
statement on their website.
A resident of Palm Beach, Florida, Glazer leaves behind his wife, Linda, six children and 14 grandchildren.
