Over 50 Manchester United supporters groups have come together to forge a list of demands for any potential buyer of the club.
The Glazer family, who purchased United in 2005, recently confirmed they plan to consider their options when it comes to the club and 90min understands that a full sale would be their preferred outcome.
In an open letter led by the Manchester United Supporters Trust, numerous fan groups came together to warn potential buyers of what will be expected of them.
“To any bidder for Manchester United Football Club: We, the undersigned, represent Manchester United fans from all backgrounds and walks of life,” the letter began.
“We understand very well why you wish to buy the Club. We believe Manchester United is the greatest sporting institution in the world and hope we will have a new owner that will nurture, invest and, most of all, recognise that their role as the steward of Manchester United is to run the club in partnership with the supporters, in a way which recognises that a football club is far more than just a commercial asset.
“As you contemplate the nature of any offer you may wish to make to the present owners, we believe it may be helpful to you to understand what supporters want from any new owner, in order to secure the support of the fans. The principles below are based on our longstanding principles established over two decades as the Supporters Trust and regular open consultation with our fans. Concurrent with the publication of this open letter, we have initiated a further comprehensive consultation process reaching out to every fan group and supporter globally.”
Debt, equity, investment and returns
1. The present owners took Manchester United from being a club with no debt to being one of the most heavily indebted football clubs in the world. That debt has never been paid down and has hung around our neck like a millstone. Any successful bid should not be based on debt and should include a commitment to replace existing debt, and fund future capital expenditure, through new share issues.
2. Football Clubs are different from ordinary businesses. Owners of football clubs, just as all other supporters, should be giving to their club rather than taking from it for their own benefit. The present owners have taken hundreds of millions out over a prolonged period of time, during which the club has been failing. There should be no rewards for failure, and the first priority for profits should always be reinvestment into the…
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