DO you remember what this city was like when the Glazer family completed their takeover of Manchester United? Total bedlam.

Effigies of the Glazers were burned in the streets. Stickers appeared on lampposts and cars urging them to go away before they had even arrived.

I freely admit I joined the mood. Sure, I'm a City fan but the thought of Manchester's secondary club falling into American hands was a scandal in my eyes.

A Mancunian buying the Reds? Fine. A rich Yank? Disgusting. You know what they said was wrong with Americans in the Second World War? Over-paid, over-sexed and over here.

But for all our fears, for all the breakaways and demonstrations, the Glazers have proved to be a godsend for the Reds.

Only last weekend Sir Taggart was praising his club's American owners. They are a clever bunch those Glazers. They know the folly of fixing something that wasn't broken so wisely they have given Fergie a free hand.

No interference. No picking the team. They rightly believe that there is no point buying a dog and barking yourself.

When Fergie has needed funds they've provided it. The family don't seek publicity. They just go about their business quietly and they've reaped the rewards.

Have they reaped the financial rewards they were expecting? Probably yes. But who cares. They've been generally good for United and United have been good for them.

Turn the clock on a few years and look at Thaskin Shinawtra's takeover of the Blessed Blues.

The reaction to his buyout at Eastlands was in complete contrast to the Glazers' takeover at Old Trafford.

Nobody wanted the Glazers - everyone wanted Frank Sinatra. What we Blue Mooners didn't expect was that Shinawatra felt he WAS the legendary American crooner and wanted to do it `My Way'.

Adored

He brought in a manager in Sven-Goran Eriksson who nobody wanted but who now is adored by every City supporter.

In his first press conference Shinawatra said that his target for Sven in his first season was a place in the top half of the Premiership. Second season UEFA Cup. Third season Champions League.

Sven carried out Shinawatra's blueprint to the letter. God's Own Club will end the season in the top half of the Premiership by a country mile.

Not all of Sven's acquisitions have been a roaring success. But after last season's shambles he had to gamble or the Blues would soon be facing derbies against mighty Rochdale and Stockport County.

I was no great fan of Sven's when he managed England. He just seemed indifferent to his team's performances - both good or bad.

At Eastlands he's been exactly the opposite. Excited, enthusiastic, warm and approachable. At last, I believed, City had finally found a manager who could bring back the good times.

But from thousands of miles away a man who knows nothing about English football, or any sort of football come to that - decided Sven wasn't good enough for him.

His minders have leaked the news that the next City manager will be either Jose Mourinho or Big Phil Scolari. Take it from me, he'll get neither of them.

A clause in Sven's contract stated that only he would select the team and identify the transfer targets. Mourinho and Scolari will demand the same.

But obviously Shinawatra actually likes having a dog and barking himself.

So the next manager at Eastlands will be a `yes man' who jumps when Shinawatra shouts - and neither Mourinho or Scolari are anyone's puppets to be manipulated.

I never thought I would say this about the club I've supported for 50 years but I hope Shinawatra's new puppet manager takes us down.

Then the owner might go back to Thailand.

Hopefully, he will be replaced by an owner who knows more about football. We might even get Sven back to finish off what he started and contentment will return to Hince Mansions.

What do you think? Have your say.