Racing pair now biggest shareholders at United

J P McManus and John Magnier, the Irish racing tycoons who are close associates of Manchester United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, have increased their stake in the club to become the biggest shareholders.

United announced yesterday that the Cubic Expression Company, controlled by the pair, has increased its shareholding from 8.65 per cent to 10.37 per cent. The news follows recent purchases of slightly less than three per cent each by John De Mol, a Dutch media magnate, and Malcolm Glazer, who owns the Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yesterday's announcement fuelled further speculation of a takeover bid.

McManus and Magnier have now overtaken Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB as the biggest shareholders in United. BSkyB owns 9.9 per cent. Harry Dobson, a Scottish mining entrepreneur, has the third largest stake with 6.7 per cent.

United's share price, which had risen 17 per cent in less than a week before yesterday, closed 4p down at 128p last night, before the announcement about McManus and Magnier. The pair are believed to be the buyers who bought around £2m of shares on Wednesday.

On the playing front, United may be without their captain, Roy Keane, for several weeks after he damaged a hamstring in the 2-1 win over Leeds United on Wednesday. Juan Sebastian Veron is due to have a scan on an ankle injury sustained in that match.