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Glazer family willing to discuss fan-share ownership of Manchester United
The Glazer family are willing to discuss fan-share ownership of Manchester United and have promised to give supporters a say in the running of the club.
United’s owners have issued a grovelling apology through Joel Glazer, executive co-chairman, after their failed attempt to join the breakaway European Super League led to Old Trafford being stormed by angry fans and the fixture against Liverpool being postponed.
In a reply to a letter read out during the club’s Fans’ Forum, Glazer also says there will be investment in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad this summer and improvements will be made to the club’s ground and training facilities. Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (M.U.S.T.) have responded saying they want to see actions, not words.
“As one of the few European football clubs listed on the public markets, we believe in the principle of fans owning shares in the club,” the letter read. “We have previously engaged with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust on fan share ownership and we want to continue and accelerate those discussions, together with provisions to enhance associated fan consultation.
“We also recognise the importance of fan and football interests being embedded in key decision-making processes at every level of the club, and we are open to constructive discussions on how to reinforce that principle.”
The Glazers will work with a Government review into football. It was confirmed that United have ended any further involvement in ESL, which was first revealed by vice-chairman Ed Woodward during the angry Fans Forum last week. The American family have been accused of neglecting United’s stadium and training ground since their leveraged takeover in 2005.
Glazer told fans “my family and I care deeply about Manchester United” and that its values and traditions are respected, despite their attempted breakaway into a competition that would see them qualify every year as a founding member.
He also gave his backing to Solskjaer, who has guided the club to the Europa League final in his second full season, with funds made available to strengthen his squad this summer.
“Under Ole, we feel we are absolutely on the right track,” Glazer added. “Success on the field must be underpinned by solid foundations off it. We have supported sustained investment in the team over many years, and that will continue this summer.
“We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club’s facilities remain among the best in Europe. As part of this, we will consult with fans on investments related to the stadium and the matchday experience.”
M.U.S.T. have achieved a victory by forcing the Glazers to publicly speak, but say they want to see the letter put into practice.
“The response could in theory - and we emphasise in theory only - be a change in direction and approach by the owners versus their silence and disregard for communication over the last 16 years,” read their statement.
“We will, however, determine our position based on the resulting actions rather than these words alone. We have seen empty words too many times previously. We will seek a mandate from our members and from the wider fanbase before proceeding. We only wish to engage in this process should our supporters want us to.
“The onus remains on the club to put right the problems of the past, not just the European Super League but the overall lack of communication and consultation by the owners.
“Our primary objective remains to ensure a supporter share scheme is put in place which carries equal voting rights to the shares held by the Glazer Family. This scheme would be promoted to the global fanbase and should in turn build a notable stake in the club.”
