WASHINGTON (AFP) - Malcolm Glazer, the owner of English Premier League giants Manchester United and American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died Wednesday, it was announced.

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saddened to announce the passing of Owner/President Malcolm Glazer earlier this morning at the age of 85," a statement on the Buccaneers website said.

"A dynamic business leader, Glazer helped mold the Buccaneers into a model franchise and one respected league-wide." Mr Glazer purchased Manchester United in 2005, controversially saddling the world famous club with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt in a leveraged buyout.

Mr Glazer's stewardship of United has coincided with a glut of silverware - including five Premier League crowns and the 2008 Champions League title - and has also been the subject of sustained anger from Manchester United's fan base.

Fans have complained that Mr Glazer's ownership model has forced United to spend millions of pounds servicing the club's debt - money which could have been spent on the transfer budget.