Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer upped his stake in Manchester United by 30 percent Friday, meaning he now owns more than a quarter of the world's richest soccer club.
The dramatic move came just hours after Manchester United confirmed for the first time that Glazer had made a preliminary approach to take over the franchise.
Glazer, who already owned 19.2 percent of the club, bought an additional 15.8 million shares Friday to take his stake to 25.5 percent, according to Glazer's associates in Britain, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The shares were purchased at a cost of around ?45 million (US$81.1 million) but not from the club's largest shareholders, Irish racehorse owners John Magnier and J.P. McManus, the associates said.
Magnier and McManus own 28.89 percent of the club through their company Cubic Expression.
The Glazer family is required to make a statement to the London Stock Exchange tomorrow.
News of Glazer's purchase sent Manchester United's share price soaring by 8 percent.
Manchester United fan groups oppose any takeover of the club, which was valued Friday at PD688 million (US$1.24 billion).
"I think Glazer is just trying to out-muscle United and outmuscle Cubic Expression," said Andy Walsh, spokesman for the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association. "I wouldn't be surprised if Glazer's next move is to demand seats on the board."
Asked what Glazer's next move should be, Walsh replied: "He's not welcome, plain and simple. Clear off."
Earlier, in a statement to the exchange, the Manchester United board said it had received no "definitive proposal" from Glazer. It confirmed that talks had broken off between Glazer and the Irish shareholders,
The Glazer family and the two Irishmen now own more than half the club. If either party reaches 30-percent ownership, stock market rules require a formal takeover bid.
"The board understands that the Glazer Family continues to consider all its options in relation to its shareholding in Manchester United, including the possibility of making an offer," the club statement said.
Beckham's mouth
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants his embattled captain David Beckham to keep his mouth shut.
That won't satisfy the English Football Association, which asked Beckham on Friday to explain his deliberate foul against a Welsh opponent last weekend in a World Cup qualifier.
The FA said Beckham had a week to file a written explanation and could face a fine, suspension or an official warning for "bringing the game into disrepute."
The yellow card in last Saturday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Wales got Beckham an automatic suspension from the next game. He said he committed the foul when he realized he had picked up an injury that would force him to miss Wednesday's match against Azerbaijan, anyway.
Beckham spoke out afterward, which Eriksson said was a mistake. Eriksson said he didn't have a problem with Beckham's action on the field, but admonished him for telling the media that he did it on purpose.
"David should think next time that talking is silver, silence is golden," the Swede said. "He should be quiet and not say it in public."
FIFA president Sepp Blattercriticized Beckham for violating the spirit of fair play and urged the FA to take action.
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