Manchester United owners confirm they could sell the club as strategic review launched

Many United fans have criticised the Glazer family for years, but their protests have always seemed in vain. A review of the club could now see them pull out of Old Trafford – however, it’s far from guaranteed.

Manchester United’s American owners have confirmed they could sell the club as they explore “strategic alternatives” to boost its sporting and commercial success.

It comes after Sky’s City editor Mark Kleinman exclusively revealed the Glazer family were preparing to announce the news and were already being advised by bankers.

Fans of Manchester United have long campaigned against the club’s American owners, who they accuse of a lack of investment and saddling the club with too much debt.

After 17 years in charge, they said on Tuesday that the prospect of selling was now on the table.

A statement said the board of directors was “commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club” which will include “new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions”.

It said stadium and infrastructure redevelopment and expansion of the club’s global commercial activities will all be looked at.

Manchester United have struggled to get anywhere near the golden era of Sir Alex Ferguson since he stepped down as manager in 2013.

The club’s facilities, current manager Erik ten Hag and the attitude of the Glazer family were also criticised by Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent interview with Piers Morgan.

“The Glazers, they don’t care about the club. I mean, professional sport, as you know, Manchester is a marketing club,” said the player.

The fallout led to the Portuguese star and Manchester United announcing on Tuesday that he was immediately leaving the club by mutual consent.

Another former United star, Gary Neville, has previously called the Glazers “scavengers” who “need booting out of this football club and booting out of this country”.

He made the comments after the club was among those looking to form a breakaway European Super League – an idea lambasted by most of the footballing world.

Read more:
How ‘scavenger’ Glazers left Old Trafford ‘rusting’ and in a ‘mess’

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Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer, executive co-chairmen and directors, said their review would be “fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders”.

However, the statement cautioned that a sale – or any other deal – is not guaranteed.