Football: Glazer acts to pacify regulators over bid for United

MALCOLM GLAZER yesterday issued a Stock Market declaration that his family had not authorised any recent statements about a proposed takeover of Manchester United.

The club's shares rose on Monday following weekend reports that the American is exploring a new bid of around pounds 800m for the club. If Glazer himself had been behind the stories, he might theoretically have been accused of creating a false market in United shares. He owns a 28 per cent of the club worth around pounds 250m, an investment that is obviously prone to bid-related swings in value.

Yesterday's statement was notable for stopping short of any denial that he is preparing a bid. That would have been contrary to sources familiar with the matter who have confirmed that the investment bankers, Rothschild, have been advising Glazer since December.

Rather, it seems that to satisfy the regulators, Glazer has absolved himself of any link to the stories, rather than denied them. His statement said: "The Glazer family wishes to record that no statement made in the UK press in recent days, attributed to any member of the family or person associated with the family, was authorised."

l The former French international striker Christophe Dugarry has retired. Dugarry, who helped carry France to World Cup glory seven years ago as well as the 2000 European Championship, started his playing career at Bordeaux in 1988, and then went on to play for Milan, Barcelona, Marseilles, Birmingham City and Qatar Sports Club.

Dugarry last played for his country during the 2002 World Cup finals when France failed to get past the first round.