After a relatively quiet period, discussion of the Glazer family's handling of United has gone back onto the agenda following comments made by former chief executive Martin Edwards in a new book by Andy Mitten, 'Glory, Glory...: Man Utd In The 90s'.
Edwards is deeply concerned at the rising debt mountain, which currently stands at almost £700million, that the Glazers' placed on the Old Trafford outfit once they had completed their controversial takeover in 2005.
The position is slightly odd in that, during the family's control, United have won three Premier League titles on the trot and reached successive European Cup finals, plus a semi-final.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has consistently backed the Glazers' ownership as well, which hardly hints at a club in crisis.
Nevertheless, it is fairly self-evident the debt cannot go on rising in the manner it has been and, at some stage, action will have to be taken to get it down.
Some feel that will result in the Glazers either selling a significant stake in the club or pulling out altogether, knowing they could probably raise a sum way beyond the £790million they originally paid for what has become a worldwide marketing phenomenon.
MUST
The Manchester United Supporters Trust, who as Shareholders' United bitterly opposed the Americans' involvement, are adamant the latter option is the one that will be taken, at which point they need to be in a position to at least get a stake in United's future.
"We share Martin Edwards' concerns about the future," said MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo.
"That is precisely the reason why we have begun building a huge online network of Manchester United supporters and 'Reds In Business'.
"I think it is unlikely that the Glazer family will still be the owners of Manchester United in five years' time so supporters need to prepare now if they want to have a say in the future ownership of the club."
Of course, Edwards was hardly a fans' favourite himself, having recommended a buy-out by BSkyB, which supporters claim credit for wrecking.
However, while he has no wish to run down the club to which he is still attached through his position as honorary life president, he does worry what will happen in the future.
"The crunch time will come when they (the Glazers) exit," he said in the book.
"Will they saddle the club with the debt or just sell the club on for a profit because that's all they are interested in?
"How will they leave the club?
"I am not going to make any accusations because up to now they have behaved fairly well, supporting the manager, and they haven't disrupted the running of the club or the personnel. But time will tell."
What do you think? Have your say.
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tooth&claw, manchester (09/10/2009 at 12:13)
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (09/10/2009 at 12:27)
My main concern at the moment is not whether the Glazers fail but, are we going to compete in the transfer market. Debt aside, the profits from United will be attractive to a buyer. Compare that to City, whose losses must be huge at the moment.
Steve Piggin (09/10/2009 at 12:27)
stan (09/10/2009 at 12:47)
Now THATS irony folks.....
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (09/10/2009 at 12:55)
9/10/2009 at 12:27
I meant pearshaped of course!!!
Alias Smith, over the moon (09/10/2009 at 12:57)
Johnny D, wythenshawe (09/10/2009 at 13:01)
EH CITY..TICK TOCK..MAYBE YOUR OWENER FANCIES THE RED SIDE OF MANCHESTER
BLUE BOY!! MANCHESTER NOT LONDON!!, Manchester (09/10/2009 at 13:14)
9/10/2009 at 12:27
Yea ...but we can afford it sunshine ....700 mill and still rising...owed twafford!!
NUFF SAID!!
Flymo (09/10/2009 at 13:41)
Super Red Steve, Bradford, England (09/10/2009 at 13:47)
The difference between the Glazers, the blue arabs and chelski is that they are bankrolling them, the Glazers arent, they have just bought the club, fair enough through debt but we are sustaining ourselves - this will never change. Something drastic and i mean, drastic would have to happen for us to loose our profile with the chinese and the rest of the world, then and only then would we be in trouble.
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (09/10/2009 at 13:57)
9/10/2009 at 13:14
Can you?
There is a limit to which a person will invest in anything, unless of course he or she is quite mad. Your shiek owner will not be stupid enough to keep funding your debt. He will want a return, all businessmen do.
At the moment, shiek apart, you lot are in a right mess as a business structure, believe me I know what it takes to run a business. The pressure on your team to succeed is enormous and building. We know that because it was the pressure that kept the title away from OT for so long. All he has done so far is put you in the game. Now the hard part really starts.
I hope for all you City fans your benefactor is a very patient man. It is going to take an awful lot to get his money back, as Abramovich and countless sacked managers have found out.
Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester (09/10/2009 at 14:20)
Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester (09/10/2009 at 14:35)
Eike Immel's crossed eyes, Leeds (09/10/2009 at 14:41)
Or you could end up being bought by another American who hasn't got enough money and just loads even more debt on to the club...
salford red, prestwich (09/10/2009 at 15:22)
salford red, prestwich (09/10/2009 at 15:24)
alan who, ancoats (09/10/2009 at 15:43)
Dan (09/10/2009 at 16:18)
Glazers had a buisness plan to increase united profits. They saw that although united is doing well commercially, we were still punching below our weight. Now these new commercial deals that club has been signing for the last 3 years have resulted in increasing commercial revenue by more than 30 mil. Even more next year when AON deal kicks in.
Ok ticket prices have gone up and i can understand supporters frustration with that. But united are still fairly reasonably priced.
When we were a plc, our tax bill for the year was approx 20 to 25 mil a year and we used to pay dividends of around 15-20 mil. So that was a cost to United of approx 35-45 mil a year.
Now because of interest (i am not saying its a good thing), we dont pay taxes and because of private ownnership no more dividend payments. Our interest payments are around 40 to 50 mil. So on net cash flow this takeover is costing us 10 to 15 mil a year.
Glazers are at first not stupid and secondly they are extremely lucky. Look at the way, liverpool welcomed their owners and where they are today. Glazers have still handled the club fairly so far.
3 league titles, 2 carling cups, 1 FA cup final, 1 CL and 2 finals. We have acquired every single player that we set out to buy. (apart from those who did not want to come to united). Even Owen said that Fergie told him in their first meeting that united went for Benzema.
In nut shell, i am more concerned about United when Fergie decides to call it a day.
Dan (09/10/2009 at 16:20)
Britt/Canada (09/10/2009 at 17:20)
Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (09/10/2009 at 17:33)
No use guessing/discussing the the possibilities of any future Saudi owner-except for 2 observations!
(1) Makes me yearn for Utd to be run on the Barcalona basis,a club for the fans RUN by the fans!
(2)Should we go the Saudi way you can gaurantee there would be no muppet stood outside the stadium with a towel on his/her noggin lookin like a reject from a Monty Python film!
Whaley Bridge cynic. (09/10/2009 at 17:54)
Esso Blue, Manchester (09/10/2009 at 18:09)
Django, Hampshire (09/10/2009 at 18:17)
A few tried, but not anywhere enough, and were nothing but bit part players compared to opportunists like Coolmore, Murdoch and other assorted rich men, including the Glazers. There was a window of opportunity for supporters groups when the price of football clubs was a lot lower than now, but that chance has gone forever.
The only hope left is for the wealthy consortia who will own us in future to be better resourced and better managers than those who own and run our competitors. The idea that the likes of us can now turn the club into a supporters co-operative or Barcelona type Trust is a complete non starter.
It's true the Glazers are gambling with the future but there is no guarantee at all that their eventual replacements will be better for the long term health of our club.
Red Rob (West Lower) (09/10/2009 at 18:39)
The Glazers are not United fans - they are investors and hence they bought into this to make money and not just because they like the colour red. They will therefore seek an exit within the next 4-5 years at the latest.
Unless they now do indeed like the colour red and they aren't that interested in making any money. Which I suspect is not the case.
Either way, United are the greatest club in the world and are able to bankrole their owners whilst winning multiple trophies. Hence, if people with untold wealth want to pour cash down the drain that is a laughable mini-club such as city or a club as perpetually unappealing as Chelsea then United will not struggle to find a willing buyer with deep pockets. Ever.