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It's been nearly three years since Malcolm Glazer bought a
controlling stake of United amidst widespread opposition with fears of
bankruptcy, rising ticket prices and even the formation of a separate club.
Since then, overseas investment in the Premier League has become commonplace
with eight clubs now operating under foreign ownership - but not all US
takeovers have gone according to plan.
We're talking of course about the ongoing battle at Liverpool between its two
American co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. By looking at what could have
happened, dcould it be that the Glazers might not be so bad after all?
Liverpool's owners have barely been in control for a year and already there are
strong suggestions that the club will be sold on for a profit to Dubai's DIC -
leaving the businessmen richer but without any progression or trophies to show
for the supporters.
The mutiny between the two partners, who this week are wrangling over the
worth of chief executive Rick Parry, has stretched from the board room to the
boot room and their relationship with Rafa Benitez has become repeatedly
strained by public disputes, restriction of funds and clandestine meetings with
German coaches.
Despite what the players claim, this must have had an effect on performances
and it's no coincidence that Liverpool's worst run of the season came when
Benitez was least sure of his job - and it still looks like only another Champions
League title will save him.
Meanwhile, very few people at United will have even seen Malcolm Glazer. He has
handed over directorial responsibilities to his two sons, the so-called 'Double
Glazers', but they also have taken a low profile approach leaving David Gill and
Sir Alex Ferguson to remain as the club's public faces.
Agreeably, ticket prices have increased and the compulsory cup tickets scheme
hasn't been well received but, while international business ventures grow
returning our title as the world's richest club, at least there hasn't been any
restrictions on the manager's buying.
Since then we have reclaimed the Premier League, spent a fortune on new young
talent, kept the world's best player and evolved into possibly the best team in
Europe - and all with less board room disputes than we remember during Martin
Edwards' days.
There is still the debt to finance but as long as the team is successful then the
bills will be paid while we concentrate on winning trophies.
If you look at our situation compared to Liverpool's - is it time to accept the
Glazers at Old Trafford ?
It's been nearly three years since Malcolm Glazer bought acontrolling stake of United amidst widespread opposition with fears of
bankruptcy, rising ticket prices and even the formation of a separate club.
Since then, overseas investment in the Premier League has become commonplace
with eight clubs now operating under foreign ownership - but not all US
takeovers have gone according to plan.
We're talking of course about the ongoing battle at Liverpool between its two
American co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. By looking at what could have
happened, dcould it be that the Glazers might not be so bad after all?
Liverpool's owners have barely been in control for a year and already there are
strong suggestions that the club will be sold on for a profit to Dubai's DIC -
leaving the businessmen richer but without any progression or trophies to show
for the supporters.
The mutiny between the two partners, who this week are wrangling over the
worth of chief executive Rick Parry, has stretched from the board room to the
boot room and their relationship with Rafa Benitez has become repeatedly
strained by public disputes, restriction of funds and clandestine meetings with
German coaches.
Despite what the players claim, this must have had an effect on performances
and it's no coincidence that Liverpool's worst run of the season came when
Benitez was least sure of his job - and it still looks like only another Champions
League title will save him.
Meanwhile, very few people at United will have even seen Malcolm Glazer. He has
handed over directorial responsibilities to his two sons, the so-called 'Double
Glazers', but they also have taken a low profile approach leaving David Gill and
Sir Alex Ferguson to remain as the club's public faces.
Agreeably, ticket prices have increased and the compulsory cup tickets scheme
hasn't been well received but, while international business ventures grow
returning our title as the world's richest club, at least there hasn't been any
restrictions on the manager's buying.
Since then we have reclaimed the Premier League, spent a fortune on new young
talent, kept the world's best player and evolved into possibly the best team in
Europe - and all with less board room disputes than we remember during Martin
Edwards' days.
There is still the debt to finance but as long as the team is successful then the
bills will be paid while we concentrate on winning trophies.
If you look at our situation compared to Liverpool's - is it time to accept the
Glazers at Old Trafford ?
