Kieran Maguire: ‘We know where the Glazers’ loyalties lie’ after Man United talks held
It would be no surprise to see the Glazers launch a Man United cricket team as their loyalties lie with the bottom line and not with fans.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Glazers’ ambitions outside of football.
The Glazer family already owns NFL outfit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have been persistently linked with expanding their portfolio.
And Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed revealed in a tweet last Thursday (17 March) that he held talks with Avram Glazer about a new venture in cricket.
The Sheikh, who heads up the Dubai Sport Council, claimed that a Man United-branded cricket team is a possibility.
Maguire claims that “hardcore” United fans would hate their name being used to further line the Glazers’ pockets.
“Man United as a brand is a world leader, so you can see the logic involved,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Remember, we do have multi-sport organisations such as Real Madrid.
“We have seen the Glazers be prepared to attach the United brand to anything in terms of commercial products in order to make money.
“There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Cricket is the second most popular team sport in terms of viewing figures in the world.
“But I was a hardcore red, I might see that as further evidence that the Glazers don’t represent the values of people who have grown up in the city.
“But that ship sailed many years ago. We have seen where their loyalties lie, and it’s with the bottom line, not the fanbase.”
The UAE T20 Cricket League is set to launch in 2023.
The Glazers also recently failed in a bid to buy an Indian Premier League cricket team.
In other news, Danny Mills suggests Man United may offer Declan Rice captain’s armband after “very big” transfer news.