Forget Ronaldo: ‘There’s real acrimony and anger’ after Man United reveal – finance guru
Some Man United fans will “never forgive” the Glazers – even if they continue their efforts to repair the supporter-owner relationship.
So says finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the results of a recent Manchester Evening News‘ survey.
The MEN canvassed nearly 10,000 United supporters and published their findings last Friday (10 December).
One of the standout figures was that only six per cent of fans gave their blessing for the Glazers’ ownership, while 94 per cent were either ambivalent or directly opposed.
The owners have made several plays to win over the fanbase since the devastating PR hit they took after the Super League fiasco in April this year.
But Plumley is not optimistic that the American powerbrokers will ever get the full backing of the supporters.
“There is still some real acrimony and anger towards the owners,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“That is despite some of the good news stories lately, such as the fan advisory board. The signing of Ronaldo, which was a feel-good deal, links into this too.
“But you look back to that Super League fallout and the wider concerns about how they are running the club.
“That reputational damage has been done over the course of the last 16 years. Of course, that is going to take a long time to repair.
“They have made steps towards that but it’s going to take more. For some fans, it might never be enough.
“Irrespective of what happens in the future, some fans will never forgive the owners.”
United launched its fan advisory board in November with a view to giving supporters a voice on club matters.
The panel is made up of notable members of supporters’ groups, as well as Olt Trafford director Richard Arnold.
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