Byline: GARY JONES
MALCOLM Glazer's latest pounds 800million bid to buy Manchester United has 'astonished' racing tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus, who will decide the club's fate.
'We can't believe he's back again,' said one source close to the Irish duo, 'he's certainly persistent - though no one can work out why he wants to stand up to the fans when they're so much against him.
'It's almost as if he thinks it's his destiny to own the club.'
Magnier and McManus were last night keeping their cards close to their chests over how they will respond to Glazer's new offer.
Set to make pounds 85m if they sold their near 29 percent Cubic Expression shareholding, the pair are reported to be 'neutral' about the fresh deal - that reduces the debt needed to complete the buy-out from pounds 500m to pounds 300m.
Magnier and McManus still view their position as 'long- term value investors', said their spokesman last night.
'Let's wait until the bid is put to the United board,' the Mirror was told.
Another racing source, who knows Magnier and McManus well, said: 'If the deal is right they'll find a way of off loading the shares.
'Forget any potential comeback from United fans, they'll distance themselves and get rid. They've made a lot of money and if the price is right they'll sell.'
CAPTION(S):
SURPRISED: JP McManus and John Magnier
