Now that there will soon be no more Manchester United left, the Premier League’s least popular owners seem to want to rake as much as possible out of the club and leave England forever. (The last one a hope)
The Glazer family has received widespread criticism since they completed their acquisition of Manchester United. Now, a source at the club claims that they are “waiting for the right time” to sell – and that two conditions could pave the way for a sale.
Read: Was Michael Carrick deceived by Manchester United with a “half-time clause”?
The Glazer family has never been popular with United fans since they completed the acquisition of the club in 2005 – an acquisition that caused the club £600 million in debt. – (Is now over a billion pounds)
Much of the problems United have faced since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013 can be attributed to them. And after the club hit a new low with the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League, the owners of one of the world’s most historic football clubs are nowhere to be seen.
A point above the relegation zone, a dilapidated stadium and bottomless debt
Two conditions for a sale – still greedy!
The loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford has left United just one point above the relegation zone – with Michael Carrick on the verge of being sacked.
But almost the entire supporter base has rallied behind the club legend instead of demanding his head. They realise that the problems Carrick has faced are largely due to the incompetence of the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
When Ratcliffe completed a deal almost two years ago that gave him a 28% stake in the club, he promised to restore United’s fortunes. Instead, he has achieved the opposite – the club is now just two points above Sunderland in 20th place.
Naturally, supporters are asking what it will take for the silent Glazers, led by 59-year-old Joel, to sell their majority stake.
According to ESPN, there is no market for investors looking to buy a Premier League club. However, the same report claims that they are “waiting for the right time to cash in” – and that it could depend on two conditions.
After the failed European Super League project gave the Glazers a potential sales opportunity, the first trigger is the construction of a new stadium at Old Trafford. In June, the club secured the majority of the land needed to build a new 100,000-seat stadium.
A new stadium will undoubtedly increase their value. The second trigger is Manchester City being kicked out of the Premier League – a punishment the rival potentially faces if the guilty verdict for breaching financial rules between 2009 and 2018 is upheld on appeal.
A relegation for the Cityzens would mean United have one less powerful rival to compete against for major domestic trophies – which could make the club more attractive to potential investors.
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Latest public statement from the Glazers
The Mirror revealed earlier this month that the Glazer family will consider selling United for a staggering £5 billion – more than double what the club is worth on the stock exchange.
It will be a source of frustration for United fans, who rarely receive any communication or transparency from their family – despite having owned the club for over two decades.
The last time the Glazer family made a public statement was on April 21, 2021. At that time, co-chairman Joel sent an open letter to the supporters apologizing for the “turmoil” the club’s participation in the European Super League had caused.
“Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion football creates, and the deep loyalty our fans have to this great club,” the Glazers wrote in a rare moment of communication.
“You made it very clear that you oppose the European Super League and we have listened. We were wrong and we want to show that we can make things right again.
While the wounds are fresh and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding the trust of our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.
We continue to believe that in the long term, European football must become more sustainable throughout the pyramid. But we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go.
In trying to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep traditions – promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we apologize.
This is the world’s biggest football club, and we unreservedly apologize for the turmoil that has been caused in recent days.”
United was one of the driving forces behind the breakaway league, which eventually collapsed after a united condemnation from supporters and football authorities.
That’s one of the reasons why the hatred for the Glazer family grew further. Since then, the family has been largely silent and invisible – amid ongoing fan protests and club turmoil.
