The Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United has been under fire from fans of the club ever since the controversial deal was struck in 2003.
Since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, United have fallen behind the leading lights in the Premier League and wasted millions in the transfer market in the process.
Furthermore, the decay of Old Trafford and continued mismanagement of finances behind the scenes have left United in a sorry state both on and off the pitch.
However, the much maligned family have been offered support by a former United player, as reported by The Mirror.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard told Bein Sports that criticism of the Glazers is “one sided” and the American owners have the right to run the business as they wish.
“I think they have spent money for Manchester United in certain places and, like, ultimately the criticism of the ownership from fans – of any club but if you look at Manchester United – it is often times one-sided.
“The Glazers own the football club and that in turn is a business. What I’ve always said, because I am an owner of a football club, is that when you spend your billions to own a business then you have the right to run it in any way you want,” he said.
Howard’s sentiments are likely to fall on deaf ears with the fans who will be quick to point out that the Glazers haven’t actually put any of their own money into the club.
Regular dividend payments have also been paid to the board members despite the debt against the club continuing to rise with the shoddy performances on the field doing little to lift the mood over the last decade.
Howard did admit the money spent in the transfer market might not have been invested so wisely but doubled down on his view that the Glazers are putting their hands in their pockets.
“So I think the Glazers are spending money. When you look at the squad and the amount of money that was paid for the likes of Sancho and Ronaldo and all these players, the money was spent.
“Was it spent wisely? Well, I’m not sure the Glazers make those decisions. So there are other parts of that question that need to be answered,” he added.
Howard is now a minority owner at USL Championship club Memphis 901 and will no doubt be desperate to build a better rapport with their supporters than United have with their owners in the coming years.
United supporters are planning further protests against the owners this weekend with Arsenal visiting Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Fans are planning to wear all black to the game to represent the belief the club is ‘slowly dying’ and showing no signs of recovery under the current ownership model.
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
