United chiefs in quit storm

MANCHESTER United fans’ groups have called on departing directors Nick Humby and Andy Anson to “come clean” about life at Old Trafford under new owner Malcolm Glazer.

The resignations of finance director Humby and commercial counterpart Anson mean only chief executive David Gill remains among the senior United management team in place prior to Glazer’s takeover.

While Gill has expressed his disappointment at the exits, which will take effect from February, and admitted it is “strange” to lose two senior executives at the same time, he insists there is nothing sinister behind the move.

However, the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), formerly Shareholders United, who bitterly opposed Glazer’s controversial £790million buyout last year, feel there is more to the matter than has been explained and called on Humby and Anson to tell all.

MUST spokesman Sean Bones said: “Now is the time for them to come clean, do the honourable thing and let the supporters know what is going on behind the scenes at our football club.

“At the time of the takeover, Joel Glazer said he would speak to the supporters. He has not done so, which is a shame because we have a lot of questions for them to answer.

“For any company, the resignations of both the finance director and commercial director on the same day would generally be interpreted as bad news.

“I have spoken to Andy Anson privately on many occasions. He is a Manchester United fan and always said working for the club was a dream, so I find it very strange he should now choose to resign.”

Anson felt the brunt of the Glazer’s ruthless approach to the business of running United himself in 2005 when he was voted off the PLC board in retaliation for the failure of the directors in place at that time, including Gill and Humby, to open their accounts to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner.

However, after accepting Glazer’s offer to continue in the posts immediately after the takeover was completed. both Humby and Anson have had success in major recent projects.

Humby took responsibility for delivering the new stadium expansion on time, while Anson was heavily involved in negotiations over new shirt sponsors, which secured a record £56.5million deal with American banking giant AIG.