Ferguson urges fans to welcome Glazers

Alex Ferguson has asked Manchester United fans to roll out the welcome mat for Joel, Avi and Bryan Glazer at Old Trafford tonight – but the Americans’ first trip to the Theatre of Dreams for a competitive game looks set to be greeted by a mass of empty seats.

Red Devils officials have refused to confirm whether the Glazer brothers will be attending the Champions League qualifier with Debrecen – but in his programme notes ahead of the clash, Ferguson dropped the broadest hint yet they will.