The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has reaffirmed its desire to see the Glazers enact a full sale of the club and ensure that any new incoming owners are the right fit.
It has also sought to reassure members that talks about a Fans Share Scheme (FSS) are continuing despite the hierarchy announcing last month that it is deciding to “explore strategic alternatives”.
Co-owner Avram Glazer threw a cup of cold water on this pursuit by admitting “it’s not necessarily a sale”. He added: “It’s a process and we’re going forward with the process, so we’ll see what happens. That’s the update, it’s the process and the process is proceeding.”
READ MORE: MUST make 12 demands of potential new owners
Nevertheless, in its December newsletter to its members, MUST said there are signs of “green shoots” and that "we leave 2022 in a better place.”
The group re-emphasised its hope that the Glazers embark on a total, clean-cut exit from Old Trafford, and that the new owners need to be able to help the club reach the top table of European football once more.
MUST further acknowledged that there needs to be more investment in the club, regardless. In its statement released on Christmas Eve, it said: “If the team ends 2022 with signs of green shoots, then we can say the club does too.
“Why? Because of the announcement from the Glazers last month that finally recognises that change is needed at United. Their “strategic review” is an effort to bring in more funding in exchange for a stake in the club, but it is fair to say that many United fans (perhaps most) hope it is an outright sale, which is certainly a possible (even likely) outcome.
“Regardless, there can be no question that significant investment is needed, and the Glazers have shown no desire to provide it from their own funds.
"Of course if/when the club is sold and the Glazers go, the key is that the new owner is not just any owner, but the right owner. One that will take us back to the top of European football, bringing fresh investment and working in partnership with fans.”
It urged potential new owners to refer to its 12-point plan - released earlier this month - which listed expectations and wishes about the new hierarchy.
Meanwhile, it touched on its desire to see the FSS proposal implemented in the club. The scheme would see a “growing collective ownership stake” in the club for supporters with the aim of creating “the biggest fan shareholder movement in world football”.
The hope is that over time fans would have more sway over club decisions with proceeds of the share to be reinvested. It would hold the same weight as a Glazer ‘B’ share.
Updating members in its Christmas Eve statement, MUST said: “Much of the year was also spent talking to the club about the creation of the Fans Share Scheme, or FSS.
“Now with the news of the potential sale, it is tempting to conclude that the FSS was a waste of time. But it wasn't. First, talks on this continue and have not stopped despite the strategic review.
“Second, even if the club is sold, we’ll want new owners to, at a bare minimum, offer a similar process for fans to buy shares in the club. And all the work that was done means they will have an off-the-shelf scheme they can pick up and run with.
“So, in conclusion, we do leave 2022 in a better place. We’ve all spent 17 years calling for change, and it is now tangibly close to happening in the year ahead.”
It vowed to continue “keeping up pressure on the Glazers”, “influence prospective bidders” and “keep securing day-to-day wins for fans.”
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