Finance guru issues Man United takeover claim as Glazers’ ‘biggest problem’ explained
The 1958 Man United fan group are unlikely to force the Glazers to sell up as they are unable to cause a major dent in the club’s bottom line.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about recent protests against the Glazers’ ownership.
There is anger among match-going supporters about a lack of engagement with the fanbase and prioritisation of commercial concerns.
About 1,000 members of the 1958 group staged a protest ahead of last Saturday’s (16 April) 3-2 win over Norwich City, as relayed by The Guardian.
A rally was held and participating supporters walked through the turnstiles 17 minutes late, one for every year of the Glazers’ divisive premiership.
But Plumley claims that, as protestors are unlikely to cause the Glazers their “biggest problem” by hurting profits, 1958 are unlikely to affect real change.
“I think it’s unlikely that they will achieve big changes,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“You have to look at the end game of what they are trying to achieve.
“It’s all about getting the Glazers to sell up. I just think that’s unlikely given what we have seen over the last 17 years.
“The Glazers have taken some steps to forge more of a connection with the fans and Joel has admitted they have got it wrong over the years.
“All of those are positive noises, but if this group wants the Glazers out, I just don’t see that changing in the short to medium term.
“The biggest problem they can cause is to hurt the owners’ bottom line. But if 2,000 fans boycott Old Trafford, another 2,000 fans will just fill it up again.“
United are 5th in the Premier League ahead of their meeting with arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield tonight (19 April).
Ralf Rangnick’s side are three points outside the top four with six games left to play.
In other news, pundit issues emphatic Donny van de Beek claim after Man United source’s update