The American owners of Premier League club Manchester United are ready to give fans a say in the club’s future after there were massive protests against the owners before the game against Liverpool last Sunday. The protesters broke into Old Trafford to protest against Glazers family, which eventually led to the suspension of the game.
At the end of the week, Joel Glazer wrote a detailed letter to Manchester United fans to solve the issue. The Glazer family’s commitment to “transform the relationship with fans and strengthen the club in the long-term” comes at the same time as a reported cancellation of a massive training partner sponsorship.
The Guardian reported on Saturday that a nine-figure deal with UK e-commerce company The Hut Group has collapsed. The Hut Group was supposed to become a new training ground partner after the deal with AON expires at the end of the current season.
Manchester United will have to look at backup options to get a training ground partner before the start of the deal. They had signed an eight-year deal with AON for £20 million per year in 2012. The incentive of this deal gives the brand to have their name on training kits and Carrington was called as AON training complex.
Glazer’s stated that they want to invest more in the club’s Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground. However, fans have been hearing about these words for years, so Glazers will have to put words into action to get fans on their side. Glazers have always angered Man United fans due to the leveraged buyout of the club in 2005 and burdening the club with debt. However, the club’s participation in European Super League has further strained the relationship. The American family has reportedly taken out more than £1 billion from the club in interests and dividends. Moreover, the infrastructure at the club and stadium has been allowed to rot under Glazers while other clubs in Premier League have improved significantly.