Avram Glazer has made it clear that he has no intention of selling his shares in Manchester United, despite ongoing frustration from fans regarding the club’s ownership.
As one of six siblings who inherited the majority stake in the club following the passing of their father, Malcolm Glazer, Avram has remained involved in the business side of United, even though he and his family have stepped back from the club’s football operations.
Control over that aspect of the club was handed over to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS after their minority stake acquisition last year. The Glazers ultimately favored Ratcliffe’s proposal because it allowed them to retain their involvement with the club, unlike the bid from Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim, who aimed for full ownership.
The discontent among supporters regarding the Glazers’ ownership has remained strong, particularly due to the club’s financial burdens.
It was recently revealed that Manchester United has paid more than £1 billion in interest fees alone since the controversial leveraged takeover orchestrated by the Glazer family in 2005. Many fans continue to call for the family to sell their remaining shares and completely exit the club.
Sky News confronted Avram Glazer on Wednesday, pressing him about his stance on United’s future and how he views INEOS’ management since they took partial control.
When asked whether the involvement of Ratcliffe and his team had made things more difficult for him, Glazer was reluctant to comment, simply stating, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about right now.” However, when questioned directly about whether he would consider selling his shares and leaving the club entirely, his response was much more definitive.
“No,” Glazer firmly stated before quickly departing for a scheduled meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Although Ratcliffe and INEOS have faced their own share of criticism regarding United’s recent financial decisions, frustration over the Glazers’ ownership persists. Many supporters remain concerned about the long-term direction of the club under their leadership.
This growing dissatisfaction has led to the organization of another fan protest, set to take place ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against Arsenal in March.
Despite the continuous backlash, the Glazers have maintained their position at Old Trafford, unwilling to relinquish their stake in the club.
With Avram Glazer’s latest statement confirming his intent to hold onto his shares, tensions between the ownership and supporters are unlikely to ease anytime soon.
The upcoming protest will serve as yet another demonstration of the deep-rooted frustration that has defined the relationship between Manchester United fans and their owners for nearly two decades.
