Manchester United has confirmed the sale of a 25% stake to the British billionaire petrochemicals tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has said fans have “mixed feelings” following the sale and they “remain sceptical” because the Glazer family, which is deeply unpopular with supporters, still runs the club.
MUST said in a statement: “During 18 years of debt, decay and mismanagement, Manchester United fans have loudly and consistently called for change at our club.
“When the so-called strategic review was announced nearly a year ago, it finally appeared that the sale of the club was on the horizon, potentially bringing the new investment and new direction MUFC so clearly needs.
“Against that backdrop, fans have very mixed feelings today. We welcome the investment from a boyhood red, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos company, but many will wish his ownership stake was greater than the initially rumoured 25%… But with the Glazers still in charge, people should understand that United fans will remain sceptical and wait for the proof in the pudding.”
Manchester United fans let off flares as they protest against the Glazer family in 2021
Former Manchester United player Gary Neville has called the club a “disgrace” and said the timing of the confirmation is “truly awful”.
He wrote on the X social media platform: “Manchester United 2023 has been a disgrace to the end.
“The timing of this is truly awful and no functioning organisation would even think about it. Anyway all the very best to Jim Radcliffe (sic) and I hope he can somehow work out a way to get the club right again and back to being something respectable on and off the pitch.”
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2023-12-24 15:25:00
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