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The Glazers are expected to prove their on-going commitment to United by pushing ahead with a summer of spending at Old Trafford.

Club sources say they anticipate little change following the death of Malcolm Glazer on Wednesday.

But there is no disguising the fact that the American family are entering the most critical stage of their controversial ownership, with pressure on Louis van Gaal to mount a genuine title challenge in his first season in charge.

Executive co chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer have sanctioned a major overhaul of a squad that finished seventh last season - United's worst campaign since the inception of the Premier League.

The cost of missing out on the Champions League has been estimated at around £35m.

With the size of the debt that was placed on the club following the Glazers' 2005 takeover still amounting to £350m, a top four finish and a return to European football's premier competition is a priority.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward spelled out the price of last season's failure under David Moyes when addressing investors on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month.

He also stressed the importance of making a swift return to the Champions League, adding that United's transfer activity would be a key indicator of their determination to once again challenge for top honours.

United's plans to spend heavily, following an outlay of more than £60m on Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata since last summer, is acknowledgement of their need to remain a force on the pitch.

It was the club's success under Ferguson - winning five titles, one Champions League and reaching two more Champions League finals during the Glazers' ownership - that counter-balanced the amount of money spent servicing the debts placed upon them by the Florida-based family.

The world record £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009 also provided a significant financial boost.

The fear among large sections of supporters was that Ferguson's remarkable success insulated the Glazers ownership model.

Last season was the first time they had to experience a crisis on the pitch and its impact on the club's share price.

Should that slump continue on the back of what is expected to be an unprecedented summer of spending, it will be the severest test yet of their appetite to remain in control.

While Avram and Joel have maintained a hands-on approach, and their brother Bryan has also been visible, little is known about Glazer's other children Kevin, Edward and Darcie, who have an equal share in United.

Together the six siblings share a 90 percent stake in the club with 10 percent floated on the stock market.

But it is the intentions of Kevin, Edward and Darcie that could be intriguing over the long-term.

Scrutiny was already on Woodward and the Glazers this summer, following the sacking of Moyes and the club's dramatic decline in the 12 months since Ferguson's retirement.

And there will be even more focus on them following the death of the family's figurehead, with observers looking for any sign of declining interest.

Glazer was the driving force behind the takeover that was so opposed by large numbers of United supporters.

Even if the running of the club was left to his sons, as he suffered with ill health, he remained the focus of many fans' anger.

Still United enjoyed significant success under his watch, which is why the family's reaction to Moyes' struggles was so intriguing.

Despite the former Everton manager being hand-picked by Ferguson to be his successor, the Glazers wasted little time in dispensing of his services after he failed to lead the club into the Champions League in his first season in charge.

They quickly sought a manager with a proven title-winning pedigree in Van Gaal, who they are prepared to back in the transfer market this summer.

But the Dutchman will be expected to deliver immediate results, with the Glazers and shareholders on the NYSE determined to make a swift return to the Champions League.

Failure to do so, coupled with antipathy of supporters could be the sternest test yet of their controversial rule.