Man Utd fans clash with police as new US owners visit ground

The front of Manchester United's stadium Old Trafford. Manchester United fans clashed with police at the English Premiership side's Old Trafford ground after the sons of the club's new US owner visited the stadium for the first time since their family takeover.

Manchester United fans clashed with police at the English Premiership side's Old Trafford ground after the sons of the club's new US owner visited the stadium for the first time since their family takeover.

Greater Manchester Police arrested a number of people during the angry protest on Wednesday evening and deployed dog units and special anti-riot officers, a spokeswoman said.

According to a report on the BBC website, the three sons of Malcolm Glazer, the 76-year-old American tycoon who completed his takeover bid earlier this week, were forced to leave Old Trafford in police vans.

Around 200 Manchester United fans staged the protest outside the ground after learning that Joel, Avi and Bryan Glazer were at Old Trafford for their first look at the stadium.

The trio are all members of the Old Trafford board, installed by their father earlier this month when he assumed control of the club and de-listed United from the Stock Exchange.

On Tuesday, Glazer passed the 98-percent mark in his buy-up of Manchester United shares, allowing him under stock market rules to compulsorily purchase the remainder and complete the takeover.

Glazer, who owns NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, launched his formal cash takeover offer on May 13, valuing the club at 790.3 million pounds (1.16 billion euros, 1.47 billion dollars).

However, many Manchester United fans bitterly oppose the deal, worried that the massive borrowing needed to finance Glazer's bid will saddle the previously liquid club with unnecessary debts, forcing up ticket prices and reducing transfer spending.

Mark Longden of the independent Manchester United Supporters Association, which has led opposition to the takeover, said fans had wanted to "confront" the three Glazer sons.

"We are blocking all the exits in an attempt to force the Glazers to face us," he said as the protest took place.

"This is a peaceful protest but we intend to get our message heard."

Earlier Wednesday, the three sons met representatives from the Premier League and Football Association, as well as Sports Minister Richard Caborn and United chief executive David Gill.

"We have had some really positive meetings," Joel Glazer, tipped by many to become United chairman soon, said after the talks in London.

"We are delighted to have met the game's leading administrators and the sports minister so early in our time at United and we are grateful to them all for making the time to see us.

"There's been a lot in the UK press about us in the last 18 months and this has been an invaluable chance to tell the men who run the game what the truth is.

"I hope they are reassured by our experience in sport and our passion to keep Manchester United successful."

Fans' groups have threatened to boycott games and merchandise, and have even set up a rival club, FC United.

But players and staff seem unfazed by the furore.

Speaking from the team's week-long training camp in southern Portugal, assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said: "The difference between Manchester United and other clubs where I have been in my life is this: here no one enters into a panic."