Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has rarely spoken in public since the Glazers became majority shareholders at Old Trafford in 2005, but he's gone on record twice in the space of just a few weeks when asked about the potential sale of the club.
The Glazers have neglected communication with supporters for 17 years and it's not a coincidence they're now happy to speak. There are billions of pounds at stake with the sale of the club and it's not within their interest to take a 'no comment' approach.
Although Avram Glazer has spoken in public, he's not actually said very much, in truth. He was tracked down by Sky News in Florida at the end of November and he broke his silence on the club going up for sale in that brief conversation, saying: "As we announced yesterday, the board went through a process and it's decided it's going to look at different strategic alternatives.
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"That's what we're doing and once again, we've gone through a process, we're going to look at all different strategic alternatives and we'll see where that leads us, so I appreciate you talking to me tonight and I want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving."
The word 'process' was used twice in that conversation and it was used a further four times when he was approached by The Athletic outside the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday night, with Avram Glazer essentially repeating himself.
"It’s not necessarily a sale, it’s a process and we’re going forward with the process, so we’ll see what happens," he said. “I’m here to really watch the World Cup but I appreciate your interest. That’s the update, it’s the process and the process is proceeding.”
If his interviews told supporters anything, it was a potential sale of the club is a 'process'. They already knew that, though, and Avram Glazer was simply toeing the party line, politely responding to the set of questions without saying anything of substance.
The word 'process' has already been exhausted by Avram Glazer, but that process naturally includes finding a suitable buyer, that will meet the Glazers' asking price for the club and that will have the resources to take the club back to its former glories.
Although agreeing on a fee with suitors is the first possible stumbling block for the takeover, it seems crucial that the Glazers sell the club to the right people, who will be responsible custodians and will prioritise the best interest of Manchester United, not profit.
The Manchester Evening News launched a survey in which nearly 1,200 United fans responded - just over half from the UK and the remainder spread across dozens of different countries across the world. An astonishing 98 per cent of all those supporters taking part said they would be glad to see the American family sell the club, and nearly 55 per cent categorising the Glazers' ownership at United as 'disastrous'.
But the survey indicates that the fanbase is actually divided on who should take over control, and what their priorities for the club should be.
For instance, the survey results show overseas fans are much keener to get an oil state on board with limitless transfer funds, while most UK fans would rather see a Utd-supporting owner taking control from Glazers and having no debt on the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester and supports United, has become a symbol of hope for fans over the last year. He is Britain's richest man and would be the dream buyer for some, as he's accumulated his wealth without being surrounded by morality issues, like potential investors from Dubai or the private sector of Saudi Arabia are attached with.
Saudi Arabia have ruled out a state-backed takeover of United due to their investment in Newcastle, but their sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, has said that investment from the private sector at Old Trafford would be supported.
Newcastle have faced immense scrutiny and accusations of sportswashing due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, which has led to calls for the Premier League to change their owners’ and directors’ test, and United could become embroiled in that murky area if the Glazers accepted investment from that country, which would prove controversial among supporters.
The morality of football ownership is subjective. There are some supporters who would welcome becoming an oil state's investment, while other fans would strongly reject it, and it would be a divisive issue at a time that should bring unity in the fanbase.
United fans unanimously agree the Glazers should sell the club, but who takes control - and what happens next - remains a cause of debate.
Survey results in full (1,183 respondents):
Will you be glad to see the Glazers leave United?
- Yes - 98.1% (Overseas fans 98.1%, UK fans 98.2%)
- No - 1.9% (Overseas 1.9%, UK 1.8%)
How would you rate the Glazers' ownership of United?
- Excellent - 0.5% (Overseas 0.6%, UK 0.5%)
- Good - 1.6% (Overseas 3%, UK 0.5%)
- Satisfactory - 6.9% (Overseas 8%, UK 6.1%)
- Poor - 36.1% (Overseas 36.7%, UK 35.6%)
- Disastrous - 54.9% (Overseas 51.7%, UK 57.4%)
Which of the following would you most like to see take over United?:
- United-supporting businessman like Sir Jim Ratcliffe / Jim O’Neill - 47.8% (Overseas 40.9%, UK 53.4%)
- Representatives of oil-rich state (similar to Newcastle / City) - 23.8% (Overseas 28.8%, UK 19.8%)
- Media organisation (Apple, Sky) - 13.6% (Overseas 14.4%, UK 13%)
- Consortium involving former players such as David Beckham - 7.8% (Overseas 9.1%, UK 6.7%)
- Matchgoing fan-led consortium - 6.4% (Overseas 6.3%, UK 6.6%)
- Backers with background in US sports (eg: Glazers, Todd Boehly at Chelsea) - 0.5% (Overseas 0.6%, UK 0.5%)
What do you want a new owner to bring to United - in order of importance:
- No debt on the club - 33.7% (Overseas 26.1%, UK 39.8%)
- Renovate or rebuild Old Trafford and facilities - 33.5% (Overseas 33%, UK 33.9%)
- More funds for transfers - 18.9% (Overseas 24.8%, UK 14%)
- More fan engagement and involvement in running of the club - 11.9% (Overseas 13.3%, UK 10.8%)
- Other answers accounted for 2% - answers included:
"All of the above'
'It should be a football club, not a business entity'
"A solid investment in the actual club starting from training facilities and the stadium expansion and repair but not a new stadium with no debt on club and a rebuild of team but the United way with youth and experience"
"The new owners must be committed to bring united back where they belong, at the top of domestic and European football. This will require more funds on players. Fans must be included in any future decisions that may impact the club."
"More funds for transfers, facility refurbishment, engagement with fans - but not with former players"
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