F-3 1 a13-20679_1f3.htm F-3

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2013

Registration No. 333-       

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form F-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

MANCHESTER UNITED PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 


 

Cayman Islands

 

98-1063519

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

Old Trafford

Manchester M16 0RA

United Kingdom

+44 (0) 161 868 8000

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Corporation Service Company

1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 210

New York, NY 10036

(800) 927-9801

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Marc Jaffe, Esq.

Ian D. Schuman, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

885 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 906-1281

 

Mitchell S. Nusbaum, Esq.

Christopher R. Rodi, Esq.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

2 State Street

700 Crossroads Building

Rochester, NY 14614

(585) 987-2800

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective on filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of
securities to be registered

 

Amount
to be
registered(1)

 

Proposed
maximum
offering price
per unit(2)

 

Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price(3)

 

Amount of
registration fee(3)

 

Primary Offering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Primary Offering

 

$

400,000,000

 

 

 

$

400,000,000

 

$

54,560.00

 

Secondary Offering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Ordinary Shares(4)

 

23,019,033

 

 

 

$

391,668,846.50

 

$

53,423.63

 

Total Registration Fee

 

 

 

 

 

$

791,668,846.50

 

$

107,983.63

 

 

(1)                  There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class being registered as may be sold by the registrant from time to time at indeterminate prices, with any initial aggregate public offering price not to exceed $400,000,000. In addition, up to 23,019,033 Class A ordinary shares may be sold by selling shareholders who will be named in a supplement to the prospectus forming part of this registration statement. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $400,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder.

(2)                  The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of each class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of securities pursuant to the General Instruction II.C. of Form F-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(3)                  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities to be sold by the registrant and pursuant to Rule 457(c) with respect to the 23,019,033 common shares to be sold by the selling shareholders. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the 23,019,033 common shares to be sold by the selling shareholders is based on the average of the high and low sale prices per share of the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 2013. In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities sold by the registrant from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $400,000,000.

(4)                  These Class A ordinary shares may be sold by selling shareholders who will be named in a prospectus supplement or a report filed under Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 



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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated September 18, 2013.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Manchester United plc

 

$400,000,000

Class A Ordinary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

23,019,033 Shares
Class A Ordinary Shares
Offered by the Selling Shareholders

 

We may offer and sell up to $400,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above, and the selling shareholders may offer and sell up to 23,019,033 shares in the aggregate of Class A ordinary shares identified above, in each case from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A ordinary shares by the selling shareholders.

 

Each time we or any of the selling shareholders offer and sell securities, we or such selling shareholders will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and, if applicable, the selling shareholders, as well as the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of our securities.

 

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. In addition, the selling shareholders may offer and sell Class A ordinary shares from time to time, together or separately. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

 

Our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MANU.” On September 17, 2013, the last reported sale price of our Class A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $17.11 per share.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is                          , 2013.

 




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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000 and the selling shareholders to be named in a supplement to this prospectus may sell up to 23,019,033 Class A ordinary shares from time to time in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we or the selling shareholders offer and sell securities, we or the selling shareholders will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

Neither we, nor the selling shareholders, have authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Neither we, nor the selling shareholders, take any responsibility, and can make no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the selling shareholders will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

We have historically conducted our business through Red Football Shareholder Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales, and its subsidiaries. Prior to the Reorganization Transactions described below, Red Football Shareholder Limited was a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Red Football LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On April 30, 2012, Red Football LLC formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Manchester United Ltd., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the Companies Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, as amended and restated from time to time. On August 8, 2012, Manchester United Ltd. changed its legal name to Manchester United plc.

 

On August 9, 2012, Red Football LLC contributed all of the equity interest of Red Football Shareholder Limited to Manchester United plc. As a result of these reorganization transactions, Red Football Shareholder Limited became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Red Football Holdings Limited, which is in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manchester United plc, and our business is now conducted through Manchester United plc and its subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we refer to all of these events as the “Reorganization Transactions.”

 

Except where the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated, the terms “Manchester United,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “our business” refer, prior to the Reorganization Transactions discussed above, to Red Football Shareholder Limited and, after the Reorganization Transactions, to Manchester United plc, in each case together with its consolidated subsidiaries as a consolidated entity.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Available Information

 

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

Information filed with the SEC by us can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

 

Our web site address is www.manutd.com. The information on our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

 

Incorporation by Reference

 

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

·                  Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2012, filed with the SEC on October 25, 2012.

 

·                  Our Current Reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2013 (excluding the quoted text in Exhibit 99.1 under the headings “Announcing his departure, David Gill said,” “Sir Alex Ferguson said,” and “United Co-Chairman, Joel Glazer said,” and the quoted text in Exhibit 99.2 under the headings “Joel Glazer said,” “Ed Woodward said,” “Sir Alex Ferguson said,” “Richard Arnold said,” and “Michael Bolingbroke said,” which shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference), April 8, 2013 (excluding the quoted text in Exhibit 99.1 under the headings “Announcing the partnership, Commercial Director Richard Arnold said,” and “Phil Clement, Aon’s Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said,” and the text in Exhibit 99.1 under the heading “About Aon,” which shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference), May 8, 2013 (excluding the quoted text in Exhibit 99.1 under the headings “Announcing his decision to retire, Sir Alex Ferguson said,” “Joel Glazer said,” “Avie Glazer said” and “David Gill said,” which shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference), May 9, 2013 (excluding Exhibit 99.2, which shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference) and May 24, 2013 (excluding Exhibit 99.1, which shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference).

 

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·                  The description of our Class A ordinary shares contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-35627) filed with the SEC on August 7, 2012 and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description.

 

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) prior to the termination of this offering. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:

 

Old Trafford

Manchester M16 0RA

United Kingdom

+44 (0) 161 868 8000

Attention: Investor Relations

 

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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OUR COMPANY

 

We are one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 135-year heritage we have won 62 trophies, enabling us to develop what we believe is one of the world’s leading sports brands and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and matchday. We attract leading global companies such as Nike, Aon, DHL and General Motors (Chevrolet) that want access and exposure to our community of followers and association with our brand.

 

On April 30, 2012 Manchester United Ltd., an exempted company with limited liability, was incorporated under the Companies Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, as amended and restated from time to time. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies whose operations are conducted mainly outside the Cayman Islands. On August 8, 2012, Manchester United Ltd. changed its legal name to Manchester United plc.

 

Our principal executive office is located at Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA, United Kingdom and our telephone number is +44 (0) 161 868 8000. Our website is www.manutd.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be a part of this prospectus. Our agent in the United States is Corporation Services Company, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 210, New York, New York 10036.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Set forth below are our results of operations for the year ended June 30, 2013.

 

Our total revenue for the year ended June 30, 2013 was £363.2 million, representing an increase of 13.4% when compared to £320.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2012.  Our total revenue is comprised of £152.5 million of commercial revenue, representing a 29.7% increase when compared to £117.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2012, £101.6 million of broadcasting revenue, representing a 2.3% decrease when compared to £104.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2012, and £109.1 million of matchday revenue, representing a 10.5% increase when compared to £98.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2012.

 

Our total operating expenses for the year ended June 30, 2013 were £310.3 million, representing an increase of 8.8% when compared to £285.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2012, primarily as a result of increases in headcount, football player compensation, amortization of players’ registrations and costs associated with hosting domestic cup games, as well as costs associated with hosting the matches at the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Our profit on disposal of players’ registrations for the year ended June 30, 2013 was £9.1 million as compared to £9.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2012.

 

Our net finance costs for the year ended June 30, 2013 were £70.8 million, representing an increase of £21.3 million when compared to the year ended June 30, 2012, primarily as a result of the £22.0 million premium paid in connection with our redemption of our senior secured notes.

 

In June 2013 we refinanced a portion of our borrowings with a new £209.2 million ($315.7 million) US dollar secured term loan. We used the proceeds from the new secured term loan to repurchase £177.8 million in aggregate principal amount of our 8¾% pounds sterling senior secured notes due 2017 and £14.0 million ($22.1 million) in aggregate principal amount of our 8% US dollar senior secured notes due 2017, repaying a total of £208.5 million, comprised of an aggregate principal amount of £191.8 million and prepayment premiums in an aggregate amount of £16.7 million, included in the £22.0 million referred to above.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2013, we recorded a non-cash tax credit of £155.2 million, largely comprising the recognition of US deferred tax assets.

 

As a result of the Reorganization Transactions, we inherited the £96.1 million carried forward US tax bases of Red Football LP, which we expect to benefit from by way of future US tax deductions.

 

Furthermore, the Reorganization Transactions resulted in additional US tax bases or “step-up” that we currently expect to result in the availability of further US tax deductions. The resulting increase in tax bases is currently estimated to be approximately $350 million (£225 million) gross, although not all of this is expected to result in increased US tax deductions. The deductible element of the “step-up” was not finalized at the time of preparation of the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2013 and consequently the £31.9 million recognized as a deferred tax asset with respect to the step-up reflects management’s current best estimate.  We expect to finalize this position by the end of fiscal 2014.

 

In addition, we expect to utilize any future UK taxes paid as foreign tax credits in the US, allowing us to “mirror” our existing UK net deferred tax liability as a deferred tax asset in the US. As our existing UK net deferred tax liability unwinds, we expect there to be UK taxable income that will result in a foreign tax credit in the US.  The benefit of the expected foreign tax credit in the US has resulted in a deferred tax asset of £25.3 million.

 

The £153.3 million US deferred tax asset recognized in connection with the Reorganization Transactions, a portion of which has been utilized during the year ended June 30, 2013, reflects management’s current expectation that there will be sufficient future taxable profits to utilize future US tax deductions.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplements contain or incorporate by reference estimates and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Our estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our businesses and operations. Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to us. Many important factors, in addition to the factors described in this prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplements, may adversely affect our results as indicated in forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplements and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect.

 

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements.

 

Our estimates and forward-looking statements may be influenced by various factors, including without limitation:

 

·                  our dependence on the performance and popularity of our first team;

 

·                  maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand and reputation, particularly in new markets, in order to expand our follower and sponsorship base;

 

·                  our reliance on European competitions as a source of future income;

 

·                  the negotiation and pricing of key media contracts outside our control;

 

·                  actions taken by other Premier League clubs that are contrary to our interests;

 

·                  our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including players, in an increasingly competitive market with increasing salaries and transfer fees;

 

·                  our ability to execute a digital media strategy that generates the revenue we anticipate;

 

·                  our ability to meet growth expectations and properly manage such anticipated growth;

 

·                  our ability to maintain, train and build an effective international sales and marketing infrastructure, and manage the risks associated with such an expansion;

 

·                  our ability to renew or replace key commercial agreements on similar or better terms, or attract new sponsors;

 

·                  our exposure to credit related losses in connection with key media, commercial and transfer contracts;

 

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·                  our relationship with the various leagues to which we belong and the application of their respective rules and regulations;

 

·                  our relationship with merchandising, licensing, sponsor and other commercial partners;

 

·                  maintaining our match attendance at Old Trafford;

 

·                  our exposure to increased competition, both in football and the various commercial markets in which we do business;

 

·                  any natural disasters or other events beyond our control that adversely affect our operations;

 

·                  the effect of adverse economic conditions on our operations;

 

·                  uncertainty with regard to exchange rates, our tax liability and our cash flow;

 

·                  our ability to adequately protect against media piracy and identity theft of our follower account information;

 

·                  our exposure to the effects of seasonality in our business;

 

·                  the effect of our indebtedness on our financial health and competitive position;

 

·                  our ability to compete in our industry and with innovation by our competitors;

 

·                  estimates and estimate methodologies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements; and

 

·                  the future trading prices of our Class A ordinary shares and the impact of securities analysts’ reports on these prices.

 

Other sections of this prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplements include additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed with the SEC for specific risks which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

 

The “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus directs you to a description of the principal contingencies and uncertainties to which we believe we are subject.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in our updates, if any, to those risk factors in our reports on Form 6-K, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Class A ordinary shares being offered by the selling shareholders.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for Manchester United plc and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended March

 

 

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

1.05

 

(1)

1.27

 

(1)

1.58

 

Amount of the coverage deficiency

 

 

$

67,144

 

 

$

7,073

 

 

 


(1)         The ratio coverage was less than 1:1.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

The following is a description of the material terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. The following description may not contain all of the information that is important to you and we therefore refer you to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, copies of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

General

 

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability. Our affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law.

 

Our register of shareholders is maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

Our authorized share capital consists of 650,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0005 per share. As of August 15, 2013, there were 39,812,443 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding and 124,000,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

General

 

Walkers, Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, has confirmed that all of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing our outstanding ordinary shares are generally not issued and legal title to our issued shares is recorded in registered form in the register of members. Our issued and outstanding ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights other than with respect to voting and conversion rights. Holders of our ordinary shares have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights (except as described below under the heading “ — Conversion”).

 

Our board of directors may provide for other classes of shares, including series of preferred shares, out of our authorized but unissued share capital, which could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise capital for corporate purposes or for use in employee benefit plans. Such additional classes of shares shall have such rights, restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as determined by our board of directors. If we issue any preferred shares, the rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of such preferred shares.

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Dividends and other distributions on issued and outstanding ordinary shares may be paid out of the funds of the Company lawfully available for such purpose, subject to any preference of any outstanding preferred shares. Dividends and other distributions will be distributed among the holders of our ordinary shares on a pro rata basis.

 

Voting rights

 

Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to 10 votes, on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by show of hands, unless voting by way of poll demanded by the chairman of the board of directors or any shareholder present or voting by proxy.

 

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of (a) with respect to any meeting convened to consider or adopt a special resolution, holders with at least 67% of the votes eligible to be cast at any such general meeting of the Company and (b) with respect to any meeting to consider any other resolution or take any other action, holders with at least a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at any such general meeting of the Company. A special

 

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resolution will be required for important matters such as a merger or consolidation of the Company, change of name or making changes to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or the voluntary winding up of the Company.

 

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the ordinary shares.

 

At any time that the holders of the Class B ordinary shares together hold Class B ordinary shares representing at least 10% of the total number of Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding, the voting power permitted to be exercised by the holders of the Class B shares will be weighted such that the Class B shares shall represent, in the aggregate, 67% of the voting power of all shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting convened to consider a special resolution.

 

Conversion

 

Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time at the option of the holder of such Class B ordinary share. Each Class B ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share upon any transfer thereof to a person or entity that is not an affiliate of the holder of such Class B ordinary share. Further, our Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into our Class A ordinary shares upon the date when holders of all Class B ordinary shares cease to hold Class B ordinary shares representing, in the aggregate, at least 10% of the total number of Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding.

 

Variation of rights

 

The rights attached to any class of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of that class), such as voting, dividends and the like, may be varied only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting or by the written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class shall not (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of that class) be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking in priority to or pari passu with such previously existing shares.

 

Transfer of ordinary shares and notices

 

Any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors, subject to the applicable restrictions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, such as the suspension of transfers for a period immediately preceding a general meeting, or the determination that a proposed transfer is not eligible.

 

In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prohibit the transfer of shares to any person where such transfer would be in breach of the rules of the Premier League or the rules of certain other relevant governing bodies. The rules of the Premier League prohibit any person who holds an interest of 10% or more of the total voting rights exercisable in a Premier League football club from holding an interest in voting rights exercisable in any other Premier League football club. If any shareholder is determined by us, at our absolute discretion, to be holding any Class A ordinary shares in violation of this rule, we have the right to direct that shareholder to transfer those shares to another person or, failing such transfer, we have the right to sell those shares to another person on behalf of that shareholder. Until such transfer or sale is effected, that shareholder will not be entitled to receive or exercise any rights, benefits or privileges attaching to those Class A ordinary shares.

 

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

 

The registration of transfers may, on 14 days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of

 

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directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year.

 

Certain transfers of Class B ordinary shares to non-affiliates of the holder of such Class B ordinary shares will also result in the conversion of such Class B ordinary shares to Class A ordinary shares. See “ — Conversion” above.

 

Liquidation

 

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis.

 

Directors

 

The management of our Company is vested in a board of directors. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors, which must be composed of at least one member, can be appointed and removed and/or replaced by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders or by written notice delivered to the Company from time to time by shareholders permitted to exercise more than 50% of the voting power capable of being exercised at any general meeting.

 

The quorum necessary for any meeting of our board of directors shall consist of at least a majority of the members of our board of directors.

 

Indemnity of directors and officers

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors and officers shall be indemnified from and against all liability which they incur in execution of their duty in their respective offices, except liability incurred by reason of such director’s or officer’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Law. The Companies Law is modeled on English law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and, for comparison purposes, the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware and their shareholders.

 

Mergers and similar arrangements

 

The Companies Law allows for the merger of two companies into either one consolidated company or one company merged into another so as to form a single surviving company. The merger or consolidation of two or more companies under Cayman Islands law requires the directors of the companies to enter into and to approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must also be authorized by a special resolution of each constituent company, in which regard see “ — Voting rights” above. In relation to any merger or consolidation under the Companies Law, dissenting shareholders have certain limited appraisal rights in circumstances which are similar to those available to dissenting shareholders of a Delaware corporation, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares. Appraisal rights are ordinarily available where the consideration offered under the merger is payable in cash or, in some instances, the unlisted securities of a third party.

 

The Companies Law also includes statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that such a scheme of arrangement is approved by shareholders or creditors who represent a majority in number and 75% in value of each such class of shareholders who attend and vote, either in person or by proxy, at a meeting or meetings convened for that purpose. The convening of meetings to consider any such scheme of arrangement, and the implementation of the sanction, must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman

 

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Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

·                  the statutory provisions as to the dual majority vote have been met;

 

·                  the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the classes properly delineated;

 

·                  the arrangement is such that a businessman would reasonably approve; and

 

·                  the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.

 

If a scheme of arrangement is thus approved, the dissenting shareholders would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

 

When a tender offer to acquire shares is made and accepted (within four months) by holders of not less than 90% of the shares subject to such offer, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

Shareholders’ suits

 

We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:

 

·                  a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires (beyond the scope of its authority);

 

·                  the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could be effected duly if authorized by a special resolution that has not been obtained; and

 

·                  those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

 

Fiduciary duties of directors

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director must act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company: a duty to act

 

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bona fide in the best interests of the company; a duty not to make a profit out of his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so); a duty to exercise his powers for the purposes for which they are conferred; and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care, and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

 

Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, directors who are in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company must declare the nature of their interest at a meeting of the board of directors. Following such declaration, a director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract notwithstanding his interest; provided that, in exercising any such vote, such director’s duties remain as described above.

 

Written consent of shareholders

 

Under Delaware corporate law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of a corporation may be taken by written consent of the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take that action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote were present and voted. In addition, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent through amendment to its certificate of incorporation.

 

Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that shareholders may approve the appointment or removal of directors by way of written resolution signed by or on behalf of shareholders holding a majority of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters that are not the appointment or removal of directors by way of unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

 

Shareholder proposals

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the shareholders at the annual meeting, provided that such shareholder complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

 

Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, a shareholder can only put a proposal before the shareholders at any general meeting in respect of any matter requiring a special resolution if it is set out in the notice calling the meeting. There is no right to introduce new business in respect of any matter requiring a special resolution at any meeting. A general meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the memorandum and articles of association, but shareholders may be precluded from calling general meetings. General meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any shareholder or shareholders entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the company and to exercise at least a majority of the voting power permitted to be exercised at any such meeting, deposited at the office specifying the objects of the meeting for a date no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition signed by such shareholders, and if the directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 45 days after the date of such deposit, such shareholders themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by such shareholders as a result of the failure of the directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by the Company. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a corporation is required to set a minimum quorum of one-third of the issued and outstanding shares for a shareholders meeting. Cayman Islands law permits a company’s articles to have any quorum. See “ — Voting rights.”

 

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Cumulative voting

 

Under Delaware corporate law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits a minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which such shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases such shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director.

 

There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands, but our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

 

Election and removal of directors

 

Under Delaware corporate law, unless otherwise specified in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of a corporation, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on the election of directors and may be removed with or without cause (or, with respect to a classified board, only with cause unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise) by the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Similarly, as permitted by the Companies Law and pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, directors can be appointed and removed and/or replaced by a vote of, or written notice delivered to the Company from time to time by, shareholders permitted to exercise more than 50% of the voting power capable of being exercised at any general meeting.

 

Written consent of directors

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a written consent of the directors must be unanimous to take effect. The position under Cayman Islands law is the same in this regard.

 

Indemnification of directors and executive officers and limitation of liability

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors and officers shall be indemnified from and against all liability which they incur in execution of their duty in their respective offices, except liability incurred by reason of such directors’ or officers’ dishonesty, willful default or fraud. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under Delaware corporate law.

 

Enforcement of civil liabilities

 

The Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States. Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize a foreign judgment as the basis for a claim at common law in the Cayman Islands provided such judgment:

 

·                  is given by a competent foreign court;

 

·                  imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given;

 

·                  is final;

 

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·                  is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and

 

·                  was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands.

 

As a result of recent English case law, which will likely be highly persuasive in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands Courts may also have discretion to enforce judgments obtained in foreign bankruptcy proceedings in other circumstances. This area of law is still developing and remains untested in the Cayman Islands.

 

Anti-money laundering — Cayman Islands

 

In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.

 

We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.

 

We also reserve the right to refuse to make any distribution payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of such distribution to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reason for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Law, 2008 (Law 10 of 2008) if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or (ii) to a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Law (2011 Revision) if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.

 

Variation of rights of shares

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.

 

Under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with either the written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of such class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

 

Sale of assets

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a vote of the shareholders is required to approve a sale of assets only when all or substantially all assets are being sold to a person other than a subsidiary of the Company.

 

The Companies Law contains no specific restrictions on the powers of directors to dispose of assets of a company. As a matter of general law, in the exercise of those powers, the directors must discharge their duties of care and to act in good faith, for a proper purpose and in the interests of the company.

 

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Transactions with interested shareholders

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years.

 

This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

 

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

Rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders

 

There are no limitations imposed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. As similarly provided under Delaware corporate law, there are no restrictions on foreign or non-resident ownership or management of a Cayman Islands company under Cayman Islands law. In addition, there are no provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

 

Dissolution and winding up

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with a dissolution initiated by the board of directors. Under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our company may be voluntarily dissolved, liquidated or wound up only by a special resolution of our shareholders, in which regard see “ — Voting rights” above. In addition, a company may be wound up by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands if the company is unable to pay its debts or if the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that our company is wound up.

 

Inspection of books and records

 

Our shareholders will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or corporate records except our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

Under Delaware corporate law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records.

 

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Amendment of governing documents

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only if adopted and declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, and the bylaws may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and may, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, also be amended by the board of directors. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may be amended with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the ordinary shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

 

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

 

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

 

As used in this section only, “Manchester United,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Manchester United plc excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

General

 

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

 

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

·                  the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

·                  the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

·                  any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

·                  the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

·                  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

·                  the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

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·                  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

·                  any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

·                  the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

·                  the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

·                  whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

·                  the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

·                  the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

·                  the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

·                  if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

·                  the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

·                  any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

·                  any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

·                  any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

·                  any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

·                  the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

 

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·                  any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

 

·                  whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. (Section 2.2)

 

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the material federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general material tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Transfer and Exchange

 

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

 

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

 

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

 

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

 

Covenants

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

 

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

 

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

 

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

·                  we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Manchester United) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction, the Cayman Islands or the United Kingdom and expressly or by law assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

·                  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us. (Section 5.1)

 

Events of Default

 

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

·                  default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

·                  default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

·                  default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or Manchester United and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

·                  certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Manchester United;

 

·                  any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

 

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

 

We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. (Section 6.1)

 

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to

 

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debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right or power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

 

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

·                  that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

·                  the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

 

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

 

Modification and Waiver

 

We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

·                  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

·                  to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

·                  to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

·                  to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

 

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·                  to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

 

·                  to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

 

·                  to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

 

·                  to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

·                  to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

·                  to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

·                  to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

 

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

·                  reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

·                  reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

·                  reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

·                  reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

·                  waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

·                  make the principal of or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

·                  make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

·                  waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

 

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal

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of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

 

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

 

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

 

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

 

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

·                  we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

·                  any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

 

The conditions include:

 

·                  depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

·                  delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

 

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of

 

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the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments. (Section 8.4).

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Shareholders

 

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or shareholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. (Section 10.10)

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our Class A ordinary shares or of debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

 

The particular terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

 

·                  the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

·                  the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property;

 

·                  the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities or Class A ordinary shares will be separately transferable;

 

·                  the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

·                  the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

·                  material United States Federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and

 

·                  any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.

 

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

 

·                  to vote, consent or receive dividends;

 

·                  receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

 

·                  exercise any rights as shareholders of Manchester United.

 

Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of Class A ordinary shares at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying Class A ordinary shares, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the Class A ordinary shares, if any.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

 

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

 

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

·                  a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

·                  a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

·                  a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

·                  a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

·                  a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

 

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect

 

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of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

 

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

 

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

 

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

 

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

 

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

 

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

 

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

·                  DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not

 

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appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

·                  we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

·                  an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

 

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

 

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

This prospectus also relates to the possible resale by certain of our shareholders, who we refer to in this prospectus as the “selling shareholders,” of up to 23,019,033 of our Class A ordinary shares that were issued and outstanding prior to the original date of filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The selling shareholders originally acquired the Class A ordinary shares included in this prospectus pursuant to the Reorganization Transactions or as a donee, transferee or other successor in interest to a shareholder who originally acquired the Class A ordinary shares included in this prospectus pursuant to the Reorganization Transactions.

 

Information about the selling shareholders, where applicable, including their identities, the amount of Class A ordinary shares owned by each selling shareholder prior to the offering, the number of Class A ordinary shares to be offered by each selling shareholder and the amount of Class A ordinary shares to be owned by each selling shareholder after completion of the offering, will be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, documents incorporated by reference or in a free writing prospectus we file with the SEC. The applicable prospectus supplement will also disclose whether any of the selling shareholders has held any position or office with, has been employed by or otherwise has had a material relationship with us during the three years prior to the date of the prospectus supplement.

 

The selling shareholders may not sell any Class A ordinary shares pursuant to this prospectus until we have identified such selling shareholders and the shares being offered for resale by such selling shareholders in a subsequent prospectus supplement. However, the selling shareholders may sell or transfer all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares pursuant to any available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We or the selling shareholders may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

·                  at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

·                  at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

·                  at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

·                  at negotiated prices.

 

Each time that we or any of the selling shareholders sell securities covered by this prospectus, we or the selling shareholders will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us or the selling shareholders, if applicable.

 

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the selling shareholders, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

 

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

 

Any Class A ordinary shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but any other securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

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If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

 

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate proceeds of the offering.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the debt securities and warrants offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York, counsel to Manchester. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Walkers, Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands counsel to Manchester United. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2012 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. The current address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 101 Barbirolli Square, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3PW, United Kingdom.

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are registered under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. A substantial portion of our assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, many of our directors and officers are residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or those persons in the United States or to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in United States courts against us or those persons based on the civil liability or other provisions of the United States securities laws or other laws.

 

We have appointed Corporation Service Company as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.

 

In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would:

 

·                  recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liabilities provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

·                  entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

Walkers, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has informed us that the uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law relates to whether a judgment obtained from the United States courts under civil liability provisions of the securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman company. Because the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on whether such judgments are penal or punitive in nature, it is uncertain whether they would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Walkers has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges, will ordinarily be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands without re-examination of the merits, at common law.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8.      Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors and officers shall be indemnified from and against all liability which they incur in execution of their duty in their respective offices, except liability incurred by reason of such directors’ or officers’ dishonesty, willful default or fraud.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides:

 

“Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Company’s auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified and secured harmless against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

No Indemnified Person shall be liable:

 

(a) for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or officer or agent of the Company; or

 

(b) for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or

 

(c) on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or

 

(d) for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or

 

(e) for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgment or oversight on such Indemnified Person’s part; or

 

(f) for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Person’s office or in relation thereto;

 

unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud.”

 

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Item 9.      Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits

 

A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form F-3 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10.   Undertakings

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-K if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Form F-3.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

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(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

 

(A) The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communications that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is

 

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asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rochester, New York, on September 18, 2013.

 

 

MANCHESTER UNITED PLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward Woodward

 

Name:

Edward Woodward

 

Title:

Executive Vice Chairman

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Joel Glazer and Edward Woodward, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to file and sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments and any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, to this registration statement, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and indicated on September 18, 2013.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Glazer

 

Executive Co-Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

Joel Glazer

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael Bolingbroke

 

Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director

Michael Bolingbroke

 

 

 

 

/s/ Edward Woodward

 

Executive Vice Chairman and Director

Edward Woodward

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Arnold

 

Group Managing Director and Director

Richard Arnold

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Kevin Glazer

 

Director

Kevin Glazer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bryan Glazer

 

Director

Bryan Glazer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Darcie Glazer Kassewitz

 

Director

Darcie Glazer Kassewitz

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert Leitão

 

Director

Robert Leitão

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Manu Sawhney

 

Director

Manu Sawhney

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Glazer

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

Joel Glazer

 

 

 



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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

1.1*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Memorandum & Articles of Association of Manchester United plc, dated as of August 8, 2012 (included as Exhibit 1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on October 25, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

4.2

 

Indenture, dated January 29, 2010, among MU Finance plc, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, Principal Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar, U.S. Paying Agent and U.S. Registrar, The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar, and J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as Security Agent (included as Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed with the SEC on July 3, 2012, as amended).

 

 

 

4.3

 

Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate of Manchester United plc (included as Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed with the SEC on July 3, 2012, as amended).

 

 

 

4.4

 

Form of Indenture.

 

 

 

4.5*

 

Form of Note.

 

 

 

4.6*

 

Form of Warrant.

 

 

 

4.7*

 

Form of Warrant Agreement.

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Walkers.

 

 

 

5.2

 

Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.

 

 

 

12.1

 

Statement Regarding the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Walkers (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).

 

 

 

23.3

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page hereto).

 

 

 

25.1**

 

Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4 above.

 


*                 To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.

**          To be filed in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.