Manchester United fans vs Glazers - Some Perspective
Let’s set the record straight - the Glazer takeover put Manchester United under a lot of debt, and the ticket prices (and the new ticket scheme) have driven many fans away from Old Trafford.
In other words, the takeover hasn’t been a good thing for the United fans (and I doubt that winning last year’s Premier League was brought by the new owners - we financed the Carrick deal through Ruud’s sale and won with pretty much the same players as the previous season - the win was more due to Ferguson being to keep Ronaldo at Manchester United than anything else).
However, knowing that we are under a crushing debt (that won’t really sink the club if things went haywire - most likely scenario would be that a rich Arab would buy out Manchester United if the club was in trouble, because then the Glazers would be more like to sell and run instead of taking the hit - so we’re safe, really), knowing that the ticket prices are exorbitant (cheaper than in London but still - 91 pounds for a 4th round FA Cup tie against Tottenham at Old Trafford?) and that Manchester United’s ticket policy in general needs serious rethinking…
Knowing all that, I think it is PATHETIC that some fans would go to David Gill’s home and paint the walls of the property with graffiti.
I mean, COME ON, it’s been a couple of years since the takeover, and you’d think that people, after initial anger (or in the case of the Glazers, persistent hostility) had run its course, would see reason and work on other means to change the policies that were affecting the fans. Is it too much to ask the fans of the best club in the world to behave themselves / think?
Vandalising property, protesting and throwing tomato ketchup at the Glazers is NOT going to change things - at least at the current scale of protests. And the sad part is, for protesting to be effective it would have to be escalated to such a level that it would seriously harm Manchester United’s interests.
Come on people, if you don’t respect the Glazers or David Gill, at least respect yourself and what Manchester United stands for.
Manchester United in Saudi Arabia
United are headed to Riyadh to play a testimonial on Monday for the former Saudi Arabia international striker Sami Al-Jaber and will train there for a couple of days before returning on Thursday. We’re being paid around £1m for the week-long jaunt - hopefully no one gets injured, they get some rest and Nev can get some playing time. It’s unfortunate that the team has to put itself in a situation where key players may get tired unnecessarily but this being a friendly and United looking to expand their global domination, maybe it’s not that bad?
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I don’t blame the United supporters one bit over this recent action.
Before Malcolm Glazer took over as owner of the club, Manchester United was for everyone…every walk of life…didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, United welcomed everyone.
Now since the day Glazer took over Manchester United has become a club for rich people….people of upper class.
Those who make ends meet and still try to manange a ticket to every game find it harder and harder to get into the gate.
Not every United fan is rich and according to Glazer, he’s trying hard to aim the club towards people like him.
No lower class allowed sort of speak which isn’t right.
It’s even got to the point where you can’t listen to a United Match online anymore without paying.
Get this…..now you have to subscribe to MUTV Online in order to listen to the RADIO BROADCAST…ONLINE!!!!!
To Hell with that!
I’m not giving a cent into Glazer’s pocket…I’d rather see him rot in hell.
Yes..I too am very disapointed at the Glazers and how they have treated United supporters.
Sorry we can’t all be in rich suits carrying briefcases like you lot or be like Posh Spice and wear Gucci and Prada to a match.
If that’s the way you want Manchester United FC to be….then you’re going to be in major big trouble.
Not every United fan makes the ammount of money as you or Donald Trump.
They’re lucky enough to keep a roof over their heads and attend a match as is.
Yawn! First the PLC then the Glazers. Who gives a toss,as long as the club is well run and winning? Groups of fans get all emmotive while having no idea about running a business or what the ins and outs of debt finance mean.
There are ways to make a club successful: invest, spend on players, have sensible financial management, win trophies and generate more commercial income. For 15 years Utd have excelled at this and left others in their wake.
As for prices and shutting out the ‘working classes’. Bollox! Supply and demand my friend. Millions of fans worldwide are glad to pay the prices and get to see Utd play. Nobody has a divine right to a seat. If the demand isn’t there seats won’t be filled and prices won’t rise. Utd’s prices are still competitive versus other teams, especially when you consider the entertainment provided.
You reatin a successful club by sensible commercial management, not by reacting to the rantings of a few fans who understand nothing about the business model.
Look at the success in the Premiership era! Christ, there’s no pleasing some people!
Nice to get that off my chest!