Manchester United not for sale - Glazers in it for long-term, says Ed Woodward

The Glazer family are not looking to sell Manchester United, according to the club’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward.

United’s American owners are reported to have rebuffed two offers for the club from the Saudi royal family, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rumoured to be considering another approach.

But Woodward - who was subjected to more criticism from fans at Old Trafford on Sunday when a plane trailing a banner that read “Ed - Still Failing #Woodwardout” - believes the Glazers remain committed to United in the long-term.

“Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term,” Woodward - who is in daily contact with co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer - told fanzine United We Stand.

“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that. Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.”

The Glazers have been derided by fans angered by the financial drain on the club since their 2005 takeover, which has cost around £1 billion in debt repayments, interest, fees, refinancing penalties and other costs.

United’s net debt stood at £203.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2019 but Woodward claimed it had little impact on the club’s spending power.

“The debt is long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs,” he said.

“It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service. It’s just under two per cent our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”