Malcolm Glazer, the head of the family that
owns Manchester United football club, has
died aged 85.
The news was announced by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers, the American football club he
owned for nearly 30 years.
The club said he passed away on Wednesday
morning and described him as a "pioneering
thinker" and "dynamic business leader".
His death was announced by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers
Mr Glazer, who lived in Palm Beach, Florida,
bought Manchester United in 2005 - sparking a
number of protests in the city.
After that, the football club won five Premier
League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and
2013), as well as the 2008 Champions League
title.
But the club had a disastrous season this year,
culminating in the departure of manager David
Moyes.
Sky's Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso said Mr
Glazer's passing is a "significant moment" for
Old Trafford.
Mr Glazer was a "hugely, hugely divisive" and
"very unpopular" figure in Manchester, he
said.
He said there were some violent protests after
his leveraged buy-out, in which he borrowed a
huge sum of money to buy the club and paid
off the interest with its profits.
The club had no debts before the takeover and
now owes nearly £400m.
Kelso said he does not think Mr Glazer's death
will have much of an impact on Manchester
United because he had been ill for some years
and the club is being run by his family.
After his death was announced, fans' tributes
started to pour in on forums and social media.
Mosley909, a poster on one Manchester United
fan site, wrote: "Sad for those who love him
and always sad when someone dies but can't
say i'll be shedding any tears."
The Buccaneers' statement said: "Known
among his league peers as a pioneering
thinker, Glazer infused his team and employees
with the determination and dedication to be
the best in the NFL.
"Glazer's commitment to building a
championship organisation has provided the
foundation for continued success, on and off
the field."
Mr Glazer leaves behind his wife Linda, six
children and 14 grandchildren.
