Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United fans hit back at CEO David Gill's defence of Glazer family's ownership
Fans labelled as 'anti-people' by Manchester United chief executive David Gill have launched a furious defence of their opposition to the Glazer family's ownership of the club. [LNB]Although Gill claimed the vast majority of United fans worldwide were supportive of the club's controversial American owners, he accepted there were some who would never change their view. [LNB]Among those are the Manchester UnitedSupporters' Trust (MUST), who have campaigned against the Glazer familyonce it became obvious father Malcolm was intent on buying the Red Devils with borrowed money. [LNB] Anti-people: United fans demonstrate against the Glazer family[LNB]Such leveraged takeovers were among the issues criticised by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport select committee, when it released the findings of an exhaustive analysis of the English game last week that called for reform at the Football Association and stricter regulations on club ownership. [LNB]MUST chairman Duncan Drasdo believes if Gill thinks their argument is purely about personality, he has got it sadly wrong. [LNB] Case for the defence: Gill says some fans will never be happy[LNB]'David Gill talks about the "anti-people" (anti-Glazer/anti-debt) being in a minority. What he fails to mention is the hundreds of millions of pounds the Glazers have taken out of the club in interest, fees, debt repayments, personal loans and expenses all on top of the actual debt itself,' said Drasdo. [LNB]'That is what we are against. What sensible Manchester United supporter would not be against that? [LNB] Scarf ace: Green and yellow scarves are sported by fans in protest over United's ownership [LNB]'These "anti-people" are not a minority. We would challenge him to find one single genuine Manchester United supporter (who isn't on the Glazers' payroll, obviously) who is not against the hundreds of millions they continue to siphon out of our club. [LNB]'In that case surely every one of those millions of fans around the world is one of the anti-people.[LNB]'We are all delighted by the success Sir Alex (Ferguson) and the team have managed to achieve in spite of the Glazers' ownership. [LNB] Unhappy campers: United fans want answers concerning the finances of the club[LNB]'But success on the pitch isn't the issue here and never has been. David Gill is being disingenuous if he pretends he believes it is. [LNB]'It is about the hundreds of millions of pounds they have taken out of our club. No matter how much they pay him personally even he couldn't keep a straight face and claim to be in favour of that.' [LNB] In the red: United fans unhappy that their club is around ?490m in debt[LNB] Gill described the Glazers as 'long-term owners'. [LNB]He previously suggested United were comfortable with their financial position, even though present debt is around ?490million and no explanation has ever been given as to how the Glazers managed to pay off ?220million-worth of payment-in-kind notes, that attracted massive interest, last year. [LNB]'We are never going to win (over) those people,' said Gill 'If we won four European Cups in a row, there will be certain people who won't like the owners and what they stand for. [LNB]'The anti-people were here before the Glazers.[LNB]'But we are running the club for the vast majority of millions of fans around the world who believe the club is moving in the right direction. [LNB]'The minority - MUST etc - will always be against it, but the vast majority can't be dissatisfied with the seasons we've had (under the Glazers).'[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEUnited chief Gill demands meddling FIFA change fixture processMan United 2 Barcelona 1: Owen helps Red Devils to finally beat European ChampionsAll the latest Manchester United FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]
