Racehorse tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus now own more than a quarter of Manchester United plc after again increasing their shareholding.
The pair's Cubic Expression company announced to the Stock Exchange that they have bought another 3,256,944 shares, which takes their holding over 66.5million and above the 25 per cent mark.
Takeover speculation has persisted since Cubic Expression began to increase their holding and with the pair now owning 25.49 per cent of the club that is unlikely to subside.
American football chief Malcolm Glazer has also bought into the Premiership champions recently and he owns 14.31 per cent of the club.