US Billionaire Malcolm Glazier may have taken control of Manchester United PLC, however when it comes to the hearts of United's fans, he just cannot make any headway...
However, as a United fan myself, I find the reaction of Shareholders United hypocritical to say the least and unbecoming of real fans of the club. By taking the actions they so threaten, SU would in effect be hastening the "probable" demise of the "wealthiest football club in the world".
However, if indeed Glazier is seen to be the mercenary pirate whose greed we are all "aware" of, I wonder what principles drove the likes of Peter Kenyon and lately David Gill? God forbid that the Board should even consider money at the expense of the venerable fans??? Remember the controversy over the regular change in United jerseys? That United has been run as a financially successful club is beyond doubt - so why should the Glazier takeover be viewed as a careless attempt by a successful businessman no less, to have his cake and choke on it?
How is it that Roman Abromovich is viewed as the savior of Chelsea and Malcolm Glazier the scourge of Old Trafford? Or are we prepared to be second or even third best off and on the pitch? We fail to realise that Roman's exercise cost a whole lot less, and at that time, he had no track record other than more priviledged pickings in the Russian oil fields... Mr Glazier at the very least, has the story of turning the Buccaneers into World Champions in his biography.
And to think the way SU welcomed the attention of John Magnier and JP McManus, that the Irish duo would at least avail them the loyalty of not selling at the right price...
Lastly, is this the beginning of the end for Manchester United? In a word - NO. Is Malcolm Glazier going to take United back on top of the heap? I am not sure. But take away the stores and TV rights, the name Manchester United is worth too much for any American to ruin - and perhaps the only people who could contribute to that end are the fans or so-called fans themselves. The day we became a PLC and reaped its benefits was also the day United became a corporate. The fans on the other hand are the human face of United. So which face will we see this weekend? The ugly British hooligan or the proud Yorkshire fan that says "we may be down but we ain't out! So prove yourself Glazier and let us dominate the future of world soccer!"
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