Five reasons why the Glazers need to leave Manchester United

Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and have one of the richest histories in club football. Rivalling the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan in world standings. So how is a club this historic and globally successful being run into the ground by one family?

Many will argue that “Well they have spent loads of money, so why are United fans complaining?” but it is just not the case. The fans saw through it the moment the family walked through the door and they try to paper up the cracks by throwing money at the situation.

Who owns Manchester United?

The family that own Manchester United is the Glazer family. They fully bought the club in 2005 when Malcolm Glazer bought the majority of shares in the club following success with American Football Side the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was met with protests as United fans could see the damage they would bring to the club.

Now Malcolm’s sons Joel and Avram run the club and oversee proceedings at Old Trafford…from afar.

With the family truly, in footballing terms “sticking out the gaff” there have been strong rumours of a departure with potential interest from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy out the Glazers and take control of the club. So why do they need to leave Manchester United?

1. The family sees it solely as a business

Manchester United have been through tough times and one of them was the Munich air disaster in 1958 where the many Manchester United players lost their lives. The reaction to this disaster brought forward the community spirit of Manchester and all United fans. Even in 1958, United were a huge phenomenon yet they still have standards and traditions that ran through the club.

Since the arrival of the Glazers, you can feel the traditions being sucked out because the Glazers are rarely in manchester. United fans feel like they are being puppeteered by a family that live in America and dictate how they should enjoy football.

United fans want an owner that will focus on them and care about the club including all the off-field issues.

2. OId Trafford is falling to bits

There has been talk of the great stadium Old Trafford being replaced or even moved but that is only so the Glazers can cram more fans into the stadium. This could easily have been avoided in there was maintenance repairs regularly and issues addressed straight away.

There are poor conditions in the concourse, there is a leaky roof and the place needs a complete paint job. It has been left to rot.

Fans are being taken for a ride by the Glazers especially when the average price of a season ticket at Old Trafford is £950; nearly £100 more expensive than Liverpool.

3. Money and debt

The Glazers did not purchase the club outright with their own money and if they were to do what they did in 2005 then the Premier League would have vetoed the purchase; yet are not doing anything about it now.

The Glazers dumped between £265 million and £275 million of their own debt to purchase the club and then on top of that took out a loan with three New York hedge funds so the total debt went up to £660 million. This was the first time Manchester United had been in debt since 1931 when they were saved by James Gibson.

These repayments are ongoing but the Glazers have yet to spend a single penny of their own money to help Manchester United. The money that is being made is from the club and absolutely no help from the Glazers.

It is hugely surprising that United are running with this business model. Trading forex sites would be a much better way for the Glazers to go.

4. Big signings does not mean success

The Glazer family, instead of following the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, decided to hire their accountant friend rather than a person with a footballing business brain to handle transfers. With over £1 billion spent on players, who frankly were signed to sell shirts, United have one FA Cup, one Europa League, and one League Cup to show for it.

Names rather than player cohesion are all the Glazers care about.

5. Continuing to take money out each year

As stated, the Glazers have not put a single penny into Manchester United yet they still feel they have a right to take millions upon millions of pounds out of the club to cover their lifestyle.

At the end of June, this year dividends were paid out and the Glazers, including other shareholders, took home £11 million; with Joel and Avram taking the bulk.

It is criminal and a disgraceful way to run a business, especially a football one.

Photo: dreamstime.com

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