Manchester United supporters' groups have called off plans to boycott Saturday's Premiership game against West Brom at Old Trafford. The planned boycott was to be in protest against the proposed £800m takeover bid from American tycoon Malcolm Glazer.

Organisers made the decision after deciding they had not left enough time to drum up widespread enthusiasm for the protest.

It is the first major setback for the 'Not For Sale' Coalition in their bid to prevent Glazer's planned takeover. A proposed march to Old Trafford from the nearby cricket ground has also been cancelled.

Glazer has been set a May 17 deadline to lodge a formal £800m offer for United and is currently in talks with major backers JP Morgan and NM Rothschild over his next move.

United chief executive David Gill has already indicated he would not be able to recommend a bid if it eventually arrives, describing Glazer's business plan as aggressive and claiming the debt levels required would place the long-term future of the club under threat.

Glazer, however, is likely to continue his pursuit for control of the club, putting the spotlight firmly on Irish racing duo John Magnier and JP McManus, without whose 28.9% stake the American cannot hope to succeed.

Even as the boycott was being announced on Wednesday, dissenting voices were being heard.

Rather than act as a focal point for an anti-Glazer stance, some fans felt it would only serve to undermine their argument if the vast majority of ticket holders opted to ignore the call to stay out of the stadium.

With supporters routinely heading to Manchester from all points of the UK and Ireland, it was felt asking them to make the journey but not watch the game was a step too far.

While senior figures within the 'Not For Sale' group insist the organisation remains united and determined to see off Glazer's advances, a strategy rethink will be required to exert any pressure on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner.