Fans angry at Glazer bid to take over United

Fans of Manchester United have predictably come out against the Glazer bid today.

Fans of Manchester United have predictably come out against the Glazer bid today.

Supporters groups pledged to continue resisting the takeover bid by Mr Glazer, claiming it would be disastrous for the club.

Oliver Houston, of Shareholders United, told the ITV News Channel: "This is by no means over. Our message to Malcolm Glazer and to people daft enough to lend him all this money is that not only will you not be able to increase your profits but you are going to see a very sharp fall in profits.

"Manchester United is going to become an extremely tainted brand. People will feel that this is no longer their club," he said.

READ MORE

Mark Longden, of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, said he was staggered by the decision of JP McManus and John Magnier to sell their stakes.

He said: "They have sold the Manchester United heritage. They have proved that they were never ever interested in Manchester United, or football."

Fans should go to Old Trafford to express their opposition to the takeover bid and should not give up the fight, Mr Longden said. "If he does take over there will be no customers in the ground," he said.

Former reds boss Tommy Docherty said "Manchester United's heart and soul has been sold today. It has changed for ever today."

Johnny Flacks, a season ticket holder since 1966 and former fans group spokesman, said: "This takeover would appear inevitable.

"It is disappointing in the sense that from what we have been told he does not appear to have the funds to back it up and the club is going to be saddled with an awful lot of debt.

"Glazer is no [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich. . . . However I think the time is right for a change because complacency has set in at the club in the last three years, hence the results on the pitch," he said.

PA