Win the title or you're out

The Glazers finally stormed the Manchester United boardroom yesterday and told manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he must deliver the Premiership title next season.

American tycoon Malcolm Glazer underlined the sheer weight of his authority at Old Trafford by installing his sons Joel, Avi and Bryan on a new-look United board.

With Joel, 38, expected to be confirmed as chairman soon, the Glazers now have a 50 per cent stronghold on a six-man board after a day of ins and outs at Old Trafford yesterday.

But of greater significance is that Glazer Snr has already told Ferguson and chief executive David Gill that the Premiership title is an absolute must next season.

Gill flew to Florida to meet the Glazers yesterday and was told in no uncertain terms that the only way loans of more than £ 900m can be repaid is by ensuring immediate on-field success.

And while Glazer is happy to bankroll signing players such as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung, he is expecting immediate dividends on his investment. Ferguson, holidaying in France, has been told that a repeat of last season's third place is of no use as the Glazers look to recoup their money with new sponsorships and by negotiating an individual TV deal for the club when the Sky agreement runs out in 2007.