A ‘Class of ‘92’-run Manchester United, however unlikely, would be a whole lot better than the Glazers, says the club’s supporters trust chief.
According to The Sun, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt are poised to front a major takeover which would be backed by riches from the Middle East.
The potential move would replace American tycoon Malcolm Glazer, who won control of the club in 2005 but has piled on debts much to the ire of the chief executive of the 200,000-strong supporter group MUST, Duncan Drasdo.
“Undoubtedly the majority of fans would like to see a better ownership model which put the club and fans first rather than the profits of private owners,” said Drasdo.
“As with the fans these special players have MUFC running through their veins so you can understand why fans would warm to the idea of working together with them on a better ownership model for United.
“Whether or not there is any truth in the story of a possible takeover of Manchester United, and we remain sceptical at this stage, it has certainly sparked interest amongst United fans.
“We just need to be released from the shackles of the Glazer ownership and allowed to reinvest Manchester United’s own massive revenues for the benefit of the club and fans.”
One of the club’s favourite former players and now Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville recently voiced his admiration for the Bayern Munich structure, which is similar to the model favoured by MUST.
“Munich benefit from shared ownership between fans and commercial investors with people with real football backgrounds in positions of power alongside the best professional executives,” added Drasdo.
“That combination is potent and has turned Bayern Munich into the powerhouse we see today. Like Munich, United don’t need a Sugar Daddy.”
Five-times European champions and Champions League holders Bayern are expected to cruise past United when they meet in the quarter-finals early next month.
“If we want to compete with our main rivals domestically and in Europe we’ll need to match their investment over the long term and that will squeeze profits and therefore bring the valuation down,” said Drasdo.
The alleged bid would not be the first time a consortium have planned a deal for the Manchester side as in 2010 the Red Knights attempted to free the club from the clutches of the Glazers.
Former United manager Sir Matt Busby, who led United to their first of three European titles in 1968, envisaged the club as a family with all parties working in unison.
“That is very much our vision too,” said Drasdo.
“We’d like to see every Manchester United fan in the world able to own a stake in, and contribute to, their own football club.
“The Glazers will sell at some point and that time may be fast approaching as they realise that the model which worked so well for them under Sir Alex is not sustainable now.
“They must be looking at a possible exit so now is the time for the global fan base to come together. We’re encouraging every United fan across the globe to register with MUST through our website – www.joinmust.org – so they can be part of any future plans involving supporters.”
Main image courtesy of FullTimeDevils with YouTube, with thanks.
