‘He’s not interested in the team, he just sees them as a brand’

RED DEVILS fans in Manchester were yesterday united against Malcolm Glazer’s bid.

Johnny Flacks, a season ticket holder since 1966 and former fans group spokesman, said: “This takeover would appear inevitable. It is disappointing as 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.

“I think a majority of fans will be against the bid and there will probably be a protest at the match on Saturday, but it is an away match so you are only talking about a few fans. The cup final could be more eventful.”

Kenny Clayton, 28, from Northwich, Cheshire, said: “There are dark days ahead. United are too big a club to go the same way as Leeds United, but the club will now be under pressure to pay off Glazer’s debt.”

Simon Murphy, 35, a police officer from Bury, Greater Manchester, and a Stretford End season ticket holder, said: “I view this with extreme trepidation and not in the best interests of the club and I fear for the future. I think protests are inevitable but pointless. Glazer has so far shown an absolute disregard for the fans anyway.”

Mr Murphy said some fans would not renew their season tickets, but United fans will find it difficult with Glazer in charge.

“There will certainly be some protests, but fans are in a difficult position. They are now torn between something they love and someone they hate.”

Dan Sprague, a 29-year-old journalism student and Man United fan from Macclesfield, Cheshire, said: “I don’t want him anywhere near the club.

“As far as I’m aware he’s never ever been to Old Trafford, let alone Manchester, which concerns me a great deal.

“If he was actually a fan that might help, but I don’t think he’s got anything good to offer United.

“He’s not likely to come near Manchester and, even if he becomes a majority shareholder, I would be surprised if he actually comes to games. I just wish he’d go and look at another club.

“He’s not interested in Man United as a team, he just sees them as a brand, a money-making machine. He wants it for his own gain.

“Although he may be a good businessman he has no understanding of football. Yes, football is a business, but to the fans and season ticket holders it’s much more than that.”

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, said: “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.”

Mark Longden, of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, said he was staggered by the decision of the Irish duo 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.

Ted Fellows, 27, from Alderley Edge, said: “This is terrible news.

I am very disappointed that Magnier and McManus were doing this as a business deal and for Manchester United. If ever there was a case of a club being run as a business, it was this, and we have no idea what Glazer’s agenda is.

“You have got to wonder what the future holds for players like Solskjaer who have come out in support of the fans and said they do not want any takeover.

“This is a dark day for Manchester United.”