CC hid Glazer role over fear of Man U fans

In a bid to disguise its role advising Malcolm Glazer on his bid for Manchester United, Clifford Chance used Slaughter and May's font on the debt documents, The Lawyer can reveal.

Running scared of 'fundamentalist' Man Utd fans, Clifford Chance used the unusual tactic when it advised Glazer's bank JPMorgan on the controversial deal.

The bizarre move followed the problems encountered by Glazer's law firm Allen & Overy (A&O) when it accepted an instruction to act for the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on his successful takeover of the Premiership club.

Last October, A&O was forced to seal its London office after being bombarded with abusive phone calls and emails from angry fans who objected to the firm's involvement in the deal. The firm also removed the names of the partners involved in the bid from its website.

JPMorgan is providing senior debt to finance Glazer's bid.