The Glazer family’s 18-year ownership of Manchester United has been ridiculed and criticized by the fans and media due to numerous reasons but not more so than the lack of communication between the club’s hierarchy and the fans. With the club on the market for the last seven months and with no communication from the owners, it is fair to say that the fans are letting their discontent known.
Under the reign of Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United finished the season with a third-place finish in the Premier League and added an EFL Cup to the cabinet. Several reports suggest the uncertainty in the ownership situation is the reason for the lack of activity from the club in the transfer window. There are huge question marks on the future of the football club and the frustration among the fans is building up.
Manchester United fans protest outside club megastore forces shutdown
On the occasion of the home kit reveal for the next season, the fans couldn’t find a better opportunity to let their voices be heard. The Anti-Glazer protest took place outside the megastore at Old Trafford just after the release of the 2023-24 season home kit. Commenting on the planned protest, the Manchester United Supporters Trust tweeted “Overwhelming majority of United fans want to see a conclusion to this protracted sale process with the majority supporting a full sale – at least based on our soundings. Protest planned on Tuesday to make that message clear”
Overwhelming majority of United fans want to see a conclusion to this protracted sale process with the majority supporting a full sale – at least based on our soundings.
Protest planned on Tuesday to make that message clear https://t.co/s7JZVL6pUH
— M.U.S.T (@MU_ST) June 25, 2023
It is not the first time that the gates of Old Trafford Megastore have been closed due to unrest by the fans. With almost half the transfer window passed, Erik Ten Hag still waits for the arrival of his first signing. The United fans believe that the sale will be the beginning of something special for the football club.
Glazers put United on for sale in November with new owner confirmation unknown
On the 22nd of November, Manchester United published an official statement confirming the process to explore strategic alternatives for the club. The statement said, “As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company.” Since then, several billionaires had set their sights on acquiring the football club.
After a couple of rounds of bidding the two forerunners in the race for takeover were Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and INEOS chief executive Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Although there are various hedge funds interested to acquire a minority stake in Manchester United, the Glazers are tilted towards a complete sale.
Manchester United have been kept in the dark since the start of the takeover process and with it affecting the transfer window, the fans have had it enough. It has been 18 years since the Glazers took over Old Trafford and the protests have been a common trend. Manchester United fans hope to see light at the end of this seemingly never-ending takeover process.
