Fans dismiss Ferguson's Glazer praise

Manchester United fans’ groups have dismissed Alex Ferguson’s backing of new owner Malcolm Glazer.

In the wake of Patrice Evra’s £5m (€7.3m) move from Monaco, Ferguson declared Glazer had proved to be an “excellent” owner of the Red Devils, who has so far fulfilled all the promises he made when he bought the club for £790m (€1.1bn) last year.

Ferguson’s views have gone down badly with those who opposed Glazer’s buy-out and still expect the ambitious business plan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner - who took on £540m (€790m) of debt to complete the deal – to fail.

“It is as though £500m (€732m) of debt is just being airbrushed out of history,” said Mark Longden, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters’ Association.

“The figure is so vast, most fans have decided not to think about it. But it is still there and no-one has a clue what the Glazers are going to do about it.

“In some senses, it is not an issue for today. But in two years’ time, when they have to start paying it back, it will be a pretty big issue. It is sad that people such as Sir Alex Ferguson are taking a short-sighted view like this.

“Signing players has never been a problem for Manchester United in the past so it is difficult to see why spending this kind of money should be seen as a positive move on Glazer’s behalf.”

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (previously Shareholders United) are equally disturbed by Ferguson’s analysis.