MU owner Malcolm Glazer dead

Malcolm Glazer, the controversial American owner of English Premier League giants Manchester United, died on Wednesday. He was 85.

Glazer gained a global profile through his ownership of United, one of the biggest and best supported football clubs in the world.

But he was deeply unpopular with hardcore United fans after loading the club with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt following a 2005 buyout.

His death was announced on the website of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football team, one of his other sports franchises.

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saddened to announce the passing of Owner/President Malcolm Glazer earlier this morning at the age of 85,” the statement said.

Shares of Manchester United slipped sharply after Glazer’s death was announced on the New York Stock Exchange late on Wednesday.

Glazer’s death is not expected to have any bearing on the ownership of the club, with his family retaining a 90 percent holding in United.