• Premier League

United fans hit back at Gill over Glazers

ESPN staff
April 25, 2013
Manchester United fans have not taken to the Glazer family ownership of their club, say MUST © Getty Images
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The Manchester United Supporters Trust has hit back at the Premier League champions' chief executive David Gill for suggesting there were only "a small number of dissenters" against the ownership of the Glazers.

And MUST has argued that, despite winning five league titles in eight years since the American family's takeover, they have done considerable damage to United by taking over £550 million out of the club.

The pressure group is adamant no United supporters believe the Glazers' ownership has benefited United. Gill, who will leave his position at Old Trafford in the summer, has consistently defended the Glazers since they bought United in 2005.

MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: "This is a time to celebrate the title and not a time to analyse the strength of opposition to the owners.

"However I'm sure David knows full well that we directly represent tens of thousands of match-going fans including 18,000 season ticket holders amongst 190,000 members.

"However, more to the point we'd argue that, having caused the club to lose more than £550 million in interest, fees and other costs the number of people who believe that the Glazers' takeover and ownership has been a good thing for Manchester United could be counted on a single pair of hands.

"Actually, far from being a majority in favour can there be any single Manchester United fan anywhere on the planet who believes that was good for our club?

"Plenty of [Manchester] City and Liverpool fans love what the Glazers have done, of course, so I think that says it all. However now is surely not a time to debate this and we are surprised David has chosen to speak out when he has done.

"We look forward to a more positive relationship with his successor after he departs his CEO role at the club this summer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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