Malcolm Glazer dead: Robin van Persie leads the Manchester United tributes

The former owner died aged 85 on Wednesday night

Malcolm Glazer has died aged 85 (Getty Images)

Robin van Persie is among those to offer their condolences to the family of Malcolm Glazer, after the controversial former owner of the club passed away on Wednesday night aged 85.

The Glazer family have been in control of United since he became owner in 2005, but his tenure with the Red Devils had been an uneasy one, with many United fans unhappy at the level of debt his takeover had put on the club, although the team have largely continued to prosper.

On Thursday morning, a message appeared on the Netherlands international Van Persie's official Twitter account which said: "My condolences go out to the Glazer family and friends."

Manchester United themselves wrote in a statement that "the thoughts of everyone" at United were with the Glazer family, to whom the staff extended "deep and sincere condolences".

His takeover was largely funded by loans secured against the club's assets, a move that took them heavily into debt and sat uneasily with many fans at Old Trafford

Sean Bones, the chairman of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) said: "It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment about the death of Malcolm Glazer as I didn't know him or his family personally.

"However, as a supporter, I am aware of the detrimental effect the Glazers have had on the football club and the huge debt that has been placed on Manchester United."

He added: "I'd be surprised if there was a change (in ownership structure), short term. Malcolm Glazer wasn't a board member and his children are on the board, so I don't think that situation changes much."