GOAL charts the Americans' much-maligned ownership of the Red Devils, which has led to waves of fans protests over the years
When Avram and Joel Glazer announced in November 2022 that Manchester United were exploring "strategic alternatives" and were to begin a process to sell the club, fans were thrilled at the prospect that the family that has presided over a steady decline would soon be gone.
However, almost 10 months on, and the much-maligned American family remain at the helm of England's biggest and most successful club, barely seen or heard from. Protests are held at every United match but the family remain unmoved and unbothered by the dissent they are subjected to on a regular basis.
After months of speculation and reports about the intentions of INEOS and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim to buy the club, there is now serious doubt over whether the Glazers are still interested in selling United. Meanwhile, the team have made a worrying start to the new season and the club is lurching from one off-field crisis to another, beset by a lack of leadership from their absentee owners.
GOAL charts the Glazer family's 18 years in control of United, which has witnessed mass protests, institutional crises, the doomed launch of the European Super League (ESL) and the biggest drop in the club's share price in more than a decade…
Getty ImagesMarch 2003 – Glazer buys his first stake
On the same day that United are beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the League Cup final in Cardiff, Malcolm Glazer, a Florida-based businessman who is also the owner of the recently crowned Super Bowl champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spends £9m ($11m) to buy a 2.9 per cent stake in Manchester United. Glazer makes the purchase through a holding company called Red Football. By late November, he and his family has a 15% stake in the club.
AdvertisementGettyMay 2005 – Glazer closes in on ownership
On May 12, Glazer takes his stake in the club to almost 57% of total shares after buying out major shareholders J. P McManus and John Magnier. The Irish businessmen, major players in horse racing, were acquaintances of Sir Alex Ferguson but fell out with the Scot over a disagreement over studding rights of Rock of Gibraltar, a horse the United manager co-owned with Magnier's wife.
Four days later, Red Football increases its stake in United to 75%, allowing the Glazer family to end the club's status as a PLC and delist it from the London Stock Exchange. A number of United fans, who have been opposed to the takeover since February, wear black to the FA Cup final against Arsenal. United lose on penalties.
Getty June 2005 – Takeover complete, fans intimidate new owners
The sale process is complete on June 29 after Red Football's shareholding reaches 98%, meaning it is allowed to squeeze out the remaining shareholders. The club is plunged into debt for the first time in over 70 years, taking on debt of £660m (£824m), incurring interest payments of £62m (£77m) per year.
The day after the sale is completed around 300 fans protest against the new owners outside Old Trafford and are pushed back by 100 police, leading to two arrests. United great Sir Bobby Charlton apologises to the new owners for the hostile reception they receive.
Malcolm Glazer's sons Avram, Joel and Bryan are appointed as non-executive directors. His other sons Kevin and Edward and daughter Darcie are appointed to the club's board in 2006.
Also in June, supporters distraught by the takeover launch a new club called FC United of Manchester, who are accepted into the non-league North West Counties Division Two.
Getty January 2010 – Debt increases, unleashing more protests
United are in rude health on the pitch, having won three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and reaching the 2009 Champions League final. Despite all the success and relatively frugal spending in the transfer market after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world-record £80m ($100m) fee, the club's debt increases from £660m (£824m) to £716m ($894m).
The announcement that United intend to refinance the debt unleashes a new wave of protests at matches. For the first time, fans start wearing green and gold, the colours of Newton Heath, instead of red to show their opposition to the owners.
Mass protests take place before United's final game of the 2009-10 season against Stoke, when there is still a chance they can win the title. They eventually surrender their crown to Chelsea.