Joel Glazer has broken his silence on the failed plans to form a new European Super League.
The news was met with outrage when it first broke on Sunday evening that 12 top European clubs, including six from the Premier League, were proposing their own VIP league that seriously lacked any competitive edge.
Every man and his dog could have told the club that this was a bad idea, but they made a clear decision to go behind everyone’s back. I include the fans, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the team and other clubs in that. It was the ultimate betrayal and the fans stood together to ensure it would collapse.
Now, we must do the same in regard to ownership. As Gary Neville says, the Glazers are not welcome in Manchester (not that they bother visiting their most prized asset very often).
United were at the forefront of the ESL plans which helps explain why Ed Woodward would resign as executive vice-chairman last night.
Joel Glazer addressed fans in his statement published on Manchester United’s official website:
“To all Manchester United supporters,
“Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion which football generations, and the deep loyalty our fans have for this great club.
“You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
“Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the cars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered for such conviction.
“We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.
“In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.
“This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.
“It is important for us to put that right.
“Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.
“The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.
“We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.
“In the background, you can be sure that we will be taking the necessary steps to rebuild relationships with other stakeholders across the game, with a view to working together on solutions to the long-term challenges facing the football pyramid.
“Right now, our priority is to continue to support all of our teams as they push for the strongest possible finish to the season.
“In closing, I would like to recognise that it is your support which makes this club so great, and we thank you for that.
“With best regards, Joel Glazer”
Read more: Opinion: Enough is enough, Manchester United fans – Viva La Revolution
Dear Mr Glaser, I, along with every United supporter, do not believe you do actually realise the severity of the damage you have done. You have taken the traditions, reputation, honour and great name of our club and dragged it into the gutter in the search of money. You disrespected Sir Matt Busby by daring to compare him taking us into Europe to play the best to this monstrosity of a competition. The damage is unrepairable. The trust United had with UEFA, FIFA and our fellow PL clubs is gone and may never be repaired. Our trust in your family and yourself (what very little there ever was) is GONE and can never be won back or rebuilt. For the last 16 years you have enjoyed the riches of owning the Biggest club in the World and I am sure you would love to continue to do so but you are not wanted and will never be accepted at Manchester United. You may be the owners at the moment but you will never ever be part of the Manchester United family and nothing you can do will ever change that after this fiasco. I doubt you or any of your family will read this or actually care, but we will never accept your kind and our hatred of you and your family will last long after you have left our club.