Joel Glazer meets with Manchester United fans for first time as much-maligned owner AGREES to let them have votes in running the club after European Super League disaster while pledging investment in stadium and squad
- Joel Glazer has met with Manchester United supporters for the first time
- United’s ownership are looking to build bridges after European Super League
- The Glazers have agreed to allow supporter votes via a Fan Share Scheme
- Investment into the squad and the stadium and training ground was confirmed
The Glazers have met with Manchester United fans for the first time, with the much maligned owners of the Red Devils looking to build bridges with their disgruntled supporters after the disastrous European Super League.
United are understood to have been driving forces behind the controversial breakaway league that spectacularly failed in April, with all six English clubs involved withdrawing after a fierce 48 hours of backlash.
Red Devils fans have aired their grievances with their American billionaire owners following the failed plot, and stormed Old Trafford last month causing their Premier League clash with Liverpool to be moved to a later date.
Joel Glazer met with Man United fans for the first time in a bid to build bridges with supporters
Joel Glazer has pledged to build bridges with United fans, who have not taken to the owners since their arrival in 2005, and announced that a Fan Advisory Board and a Fan Share Scheme have been created in the wake of the recent protests.
United are working to strengthen fan representation at the club, and the Fan Advisory Board will allow supporters to consult with the club’s senior leadership and board.
The Fan Share Scheme involves a new class of shares which will each carry the same voting rights as the shares owned by the Glazer family, affording supporters the opportunity to hold sway in the decision-making of the club.
United fans are demanding the owners leave following the disastrous European Super League
Red Devils fans stormed Old Trafford last month in protest against the despised ownership
Glazer also announced that the owners would invest in the playing squad this summer and committed to making ‘major investments’ in improving Old Trafford and the training ground, and clarified that the Americans would pay any fine incurred from the ESL, including Premier League penalties.
‘Our goal is to win every competition we compete in, and we will continue to invest in our Academy and in the transfer market to support the manager in an effort to meet the club’s goals,’ Glazer said on Friday via the club’s website.
‘As a club we have devoted a lot of time and resources over the last several years updating and further developing our vast global scouting network to adapt to the modern football environment. This is a project that should provide a foundation for long-term success in the years to come.
‘In addition, as you all know, we have also been focused on growing and developing our women’s team in line with the traditions and values of the club, and we are committed to continuing that process.
Now, Glazer has pledged fan votes in a bid to strengthen the relationship with supporters
‘Old Trafford is at the heart of Manchester United and while we have spent over £100m over the last 10 years on infrastructure projects, we will now accelerate the process of planning much more significant investment and upgrades to the stadium…rest assured, we will consult with supporters throughout the process to end up with a result we can all be proud of.
‘The same goes for our training ground. Preliminary planning work is already under way and there will be significant funding available to further enhance our facilities and ensure they remain world class.’
It was the first time Glazer has spoken with United supporters since taking ownership of the club, and the billionaire said he was ‘pleased’ to finally speak with fans at the forum.
The American billionaire also promised to invest in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad this summer
The Glazers will also invest to improve Old Trafford and United’s training ground, Carrington
‘I was pleased to join the Fans’ Forum to listen to the views of supporters, address their questions, and share ideas on how we can improve the way we work together,’ he said.
‘As owners, we want exactly the same thing as the fans – a successful team and a strong club – and we want to work in partnership to achieve those objectives.
‘Fans are the lifeblood of Manchester United and I am personally committed to ensuring that they are given an enhanced voice, through the creation of a Fan Advisory Board and a Fan Share Scheme.’
