The Glazer family faced renewed calls to sell up as thousands of Manchester United supporters protested loudly and angrily against the club’s reviled owners at Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Thirty six hours after United received third and final takeover bids for the club, an army of supporters took to the streets demanding an end to the Americans’ controversial 18-year reign.
The demonstrations began three hours before kick-off and saw fans march from Deansgate in Manchester centre to Old Trafford displaying banners and brandishing flares in yet another very visible show of their desperation to see the back of the Glazers.
While most supporters were in their seats for kick-off, hundreds had opted to remain outside for the first 18 minutes in protest – one minute for each year the Glazers have been in charge – forcing United to close entrances to the directors’ box, media lounge and executive suites in the Munich tunnel for safety reasons.
The smoke from the flares was so thick that it billowed into Old Trafford and could be smelt inside the press lounge and various suites.Banners carrying the messages “Full $ale Only” and “Fight Greed, Fight Glazers, Fight for United” were on display with the Glazers again left in little doubt they are not welcome by supporters.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is the only bidder offering to buy the whole club and complete a debt free takeover.Sir Jim Ratcliffe is offering to buy the Glazers’ 69 per cent shareholding in a deal that values the club higher than the Qatari offer but the Ineos founder has also made a proposal that would allow Joel and Avram Glazer, the co-chairmen, to retain a minority stake – a move that would be deeply unpopular with the fanbase.
A number of US investment funds are offering to purchase a minority stake and provide financing.Despite the protests, United manager Erik ten Hag lauded the support shown from the fans towards the team. “We felt the fans were behind us,” he said. “We have to focus to be successful because that’s what the fans expect, they have to rely on us, we will focus on that. When we keep performances like we do all season the fans are behind us, there’s a lot of energy, a strong feeling.”