Press Association:
It was a bold move by David Gill and chairman Sir Roy Gardner to be so openly critical of a man who had proved how much power his stake in the club gives him. That was before JP Morgan dropped their bombshell, which has backed Glazer into a corner.
Magnier and McManus have already broken off negotiations with the American and have refused to re-open then even though Glazer indicated he was prepared to buy their 28.9% stake within seven days of completing the due diligence Gill's refusal to open the books denied him.
If a bank of JP Morgan's reputation is not prepared to back him, it appears highly unlikely any other organisation would take an alternative view without massively increasing the interest payments to a level even Glazer may find prohibitive. Now, his long and short-term intentions remain unclear, although this news is bound to have a dramatic effect on United's share price, which has risen sharply over the last few months amid speculation that Glazer was about to complete a deal. Supporters have waged a fierce war against the American, including hanging an effigy of him from the Stretford End during United's recent Barclays Premiership clash with Arsenal.
Yet even as the joy at the latest development sunk it, fans remain on a war footing. Shareholders United spokesman Oliver Houston claimed: "This underlines the case against Malcolm Glazer. Apart from the supporters, the board and John Magnier and JP McManus, even his own bankers and spin machine are against him now.
"He has few friends or options but like a wild animal, Glazer is often most dangerous when he is cornered. We must make sure he is put down once and for all."