Ending all speculations and expectations, Manchester United Chief Malcolm Glazer recently confirmed that he has passed the 90 per cent ownership threshold. This would mean that the firm would be de-listed from the London Stock Exchange, making it totally private. The move is expected by June 22.

With a total stake of 97.3 per cent in the Premiership football club, Mr Glazer is only marginally short of the 97.6 per cent he would need to proceed with a compulsory purchase of any remaining shares.

Stockbrokers and analysts confessed that with such a high stake, Glazer has won the battle for Man United ownership. ‘The big question to be answered now is whether he can repay the loans and huge premiums’, they said.

Red Football the investment vehicle, said that it has received valid acceptances of the offer in respect of a total of 257,906,287 Manchester United shares, representing approximately 97.3 per cent of the issued share capital of Manchester United.

Though shareholders originally had until 3pm yesterday to accept the Glazer family’s 300p-a-share offer, it has been extended till June 27 for the remaining shares.

It is said that Glazer plans to raise revenues by 52 per cent by 2010 to £245.6 million, from £161.5 million this year. Fans are just not pleased with this though, as they fear that the club will be drowned with debt. In the takeover worth £790 million, £540 million rests on borrowing, including a £265 million loan.

Things are looking more apparent now, and the game is almost over for the agitated fans. But, with the threat that just 50 shareholders can apply to a court to block the special resolution taking the company private, it seems as though Glazer wants to get rid of the remaining minority as well.