Source: Daily_Mail
Man United fans give Glazers cold shoulder with Old Trafford no-show
Red competed with green and gold but, worryingly for Manchester United and their American owners, it was the colour of the empty seats not their traditional scarves that stood out.[LNB]Each one served as a warning to the Glazer family. A reminder that even United fans will not show up blindly every week and guarantee a full house.[LNB]The crowd might be every other chairman's dream, but at United the vacant seats represented a significant dip at a time when many fans are not happy with the way the club is being run.[LNB]And this, after all, was a Premier League fixture that gave United a chance to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the table, not a Carling Cup tie or a dead rubber in the Champions League. Falling revenue is, as football financier Keith Harris pointed out, possibly the only way the Glazers can be persuaded to sell to his consortium.[LNB] United they stand: The flag sums it up for many supporters at Old Trafford[LNB]Those rebel scarves make a clear statement, even though they left United fans open to taunts of 'Are you Norwich in disguise?' from visiting West Ham supporters.[LNB]But it is not until the green and gold troubling the Glazers become dollar bills and pound coins that the Americans will really take notice. The bad news for them is that fans already appear to have started turning their back on the club.[LNB]It emerged yesterday that, for the first time in recent memory, there is virtually no waiting list for season tickets for some sections at United.[LNB]Worryingly, the club also took the rare step of approaching supporters to encourage them to attend last night.[LNB]It is believed the economic climate has combined with dissatisfaction with the Glazer regime and rising prices to persuade fans to think twice.[LNB]Though premium seats remain in demand, others do not. This was the case last night, given that United and ticket agencies sent out e-mails out on Monday trying to persuade fans to turn up.[LNB]As of mid-afternoon yesterday, United's website was still advertising tickets. It is understood some agencies were even offering discount prices in a bid to fill the ground. They did not succeed.[LNB]Those who did show up saw Sir Alex Ferguson had opted for an interesting line-up. One that suggested he did not necessarily view this game more important than Sunday's Carling Cup Final.[LNB]No Van der Sar, Carrick or Fletcher in the starting line-up. Nemanja Vidic was back but not alongside Rio Ferdinand, even though the England captain was available after suspension.[LNB] A sign of things to come? Empty seats at Old Trafford[LNB]Gary Neville enjoyed another rare start, and the errant Anderson was restored for as long as it took to injure himself.[LNB]If United's team was surprising, the result was not. Nor was the scorer of the first two goals.[LNB]It brought a welcome triumph for United. But it could not obscure a small victory for the anti-Glazer movement.[LNB] Manchester United 3 West Ham 0: Heads again, Rooney! Wayne at the double but Rio sits it outSir Alex Ferguson continues clampdown by gagging Manchester United academy kidsMANCHESTER UNITED FC
