If the Glazers want the best for Manchester United, when will it show in the transfer market?
The news that Manchester United’s Chief Executive, David Gill, has come to the defence of the club’s owners, the Glazers, was not the biggest surprise. Since taking over in 2005, the Americans have not exactly been in favour with the Red Devils’ massive fan base, and the reasons for that are clear. Debts have in the past been as high as £700 million, because the Glazers’ debts can simply be loaded onto the club.
Furthermore, the lack of recent high profile signings has hugely irked fans, who see big spending as necessary if their team is to remain as one of Europe’s finest. In recent weeks, particularly away against Marseille, United have looked distinctly average, and without Paul Scholes in central midfield – a situation that will eventually become permanent – there is next to no creativity in the centre.
The club has insisted that the money from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo is available to spend, yet no real big names have been signed, to the annoyance of supporters. Alex Ferguson has made a habit of announcing that there will be no high profile signings, but an outlay of nearly £30 million on three virtual unknowns last year does back up the suggestion that there is money to spend.
Even though Antonio Valencia, Ronaldo’s replacement, has been a success, and Chris Smalling and in particular Javier Hernandez have looked fantastic value for money, Ferguson has been reluctant to strengthen in the middle of the park. Bebe – the man who was, and still is, the biggest mystery of all – has hardly featured for the first team, and many fans argued that it was brainless to spend £7 million on the Portuguese when Mezut Ozil, a star of the World Cup, was sold for just £12 million.
This along with the Glazers’ debts have sparked campaigns like the ‘Green and Gold’ movement, whereby fans bought scarves with the colours of Newton Heath, the club United were formed as. One section of supporters even broke off and formed a new club, FC United, in outrage at the Glazers. They famously reached the second round of the FA Cup this year, before being beaten by League One leaders Brighton.
Gill has now said that the owners would continue not to communicate with fans, and that that job would remain in the hands of Ferguson, as well as the club’s board. All the Glazers have managed is a message stating that the club is not for sale, in the face of supposed take-over plans involving a Qatari company. Gill also confirmed that Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) would continue to be snubbed, as the body was “at war with the owners”.
But United fans do have reason to be cheerful, even after back-to-back losses in the league! Not only are revenues and commercial sales up, but the club’s debt has now been reduced to roughly £355 million. All is not lost; and remember, it looks as though a record nineteenth title could be on the way. And if not – well, at least City aren’t in second.
