Three years ago amidst burning effigies, police escorts and general uproar the Glazer Family finally arrived at Old Trafford, completing their much maligned take-over in the process. Manchester United was set to become the financial pawn of one of the most ruthless businessmen in the USA.
I, like the vast majority of Manchester United fans, was disgusted and for the first time seriously considered my place as a fan, especially after a fairly mediocre campaign and very disappointing FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal in a game we dominated from start to finish. Quickly enough I came to my senses, however, realising the need for unity amongst fans. Others acted upon instinct in establishing FC United of Manchester, a breakaway club.
It seemed the fans felt betrayed by the board and management, who had resisted previous attempts throughout the year by the Glazer family to gain control of the club. We simply wanted the club to remain as it was without the interference of anyone; but particularly not a profit mad American who genuinely knew nothing about the game.
It was then with a distinct air of pessimism that the new season in 2005 started. We didn’t want these new owners and the outrageous amount of debt they had placed at the feet of the club and we didn't want Malcolm Glazer's sons replacing our board members.
The only names of note to come into the club during pre-season were Edwin Van der Sar and Ji-Sung Park. The latter’s was a transfer which undoubtedly smacked of an attempt to gain revenue from the highly profitable Asian market.
The team started well enough with clean-sheets and victories over Everton and Aston Villa. However, with the persistence of a 4-5-1 formation the team seemed uninspired and somewhat deficient. Embarrassing defeats away at Middlesbrough (4-1) and at home to Blackburn (2-1) coupled with poor performances in the Champions League meant that the prospect of silverware seemed highly unlikely.
That coupled with the acrimonious departure of club captain Roy Keane meant Manchester United were in disarray.
By Christmas United were out of Europe, finishing bottom of an average group. They trailed Chelsea in the league who were running away to their second championship under José Mourinho and were dropped by sponsors Vodafone.
The New Year brought defensive reinforcements in the shape of Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. Initially they both struggled, and in spite an upturn in form United finished runners-up to Chelsea.
Fast forward to the present moment and Manchester United are the current European Champions and Premier League holders. With the success the club has enjoyed over the previous two campaigns both at home and abroad is it now time for Manchester United fans to re-assess their position on the Glazers?
The answer is perhaps. In the three years that have elapsed since assuming control of the club, the Glazer family have very much taken a back seat and have unequivocally backed Sir Alex Ferguson in the transfer market with big money signings of Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson. It may be argued that this is a cynical ploy intended for the club to be successful only so they can reap the financial rewards.
However, unlike other clubs under foreign ownership such as Chelsea and Liverpool they have not brought the club into disrepute. The shambles that is George Gillett and Tom Hicks’ co-ownership at Anfield has clearly affected performances on the pitch. Roman Abramovich continues to interfere needlessly with team matters at Stamford Bridge. The deterioration of his relationship with José Mourinho has co-incided with slump in Chelsea’s success. In keeping off-the-field dramas to a minimum, he Glazer family enabled Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistants to concentrate on the task at hand; making Manchester United the a success once more.
So, three years on, it is with a certain unease that I look back at the events surrounding the take-over of Manchester United. The club has not drastically changed as I, and many, feared it would.
Despite this, it is clear the Glazer family will never be welcome at Manchester United. Just as with Rupert Murdoch and bSKYb a decade ago, Manchester United fans will always have a certain hostility towards anyone who will willingly use the club simply to extract financial gain.
The issue of the level of debt is the major concern amongst fans as it puts the club in a potentially precarious financial position.
Foreign ownership of British Football teams is and always will be unpopular. Not just in Britain but also with UEFA. President Platini has already expressed his dislike of foreign ownership, and it is about the only sensible thing he has said during his tenure for many British football fans.
The history, tradition and heritage of teams such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa is under threat and it why I am still fundamentally against foreign ownership, but so far, for Manchester United at least, it seems to have paid dividends... for now at least.
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