It’s May 12th, 2005, and the sun shines brightly over Old Trafford as the morning dew glistens off the hallowed turf.
Yet behind this picturesque exterior, a murky story is developing; a plot that has been three years in the making is coming to its conclusion.
But this novel is no fairytale and the happy ending that has followed many recent campaigns has been replaced by a final chapter more accustomed to a Shakespearean tragedy.
Manchester United’s domestic dominance is over, toppled by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the league and dumped out of the group stages of the Champion’s League.
But overshadowing the club’s on-field troubles is the impending takeover by US Sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer, taking the Red Devils out of the hands of the people and into American clutches.
Since 2003, rumours have dominated the British press regarding the ownership of England’s most famous club, as the Glazer family began to purchase shares at an alarming rate.
Manchester United is on death row, the club’s freedom hanging by a thread as it awaits the news all those connected with the club, fear most.
And this morning, that moment has come; journalists across the globe are reporting of a new dynasty at Old Trafford, the club’s share price rockets and the back pages of the nation’s press predict a bleak new chapter.
Having secured the 28.7% stake owned by Irish racing tycoons JP Mcmanus and John Magnier, Malcolm Glazer has over 70% of the club, a mere 5% shy of accessing United’s vault, removing the club from the stock exchange and beginning his Old Trafford dictatorship.
Fans have rallied together, protesting in unison against this dark regime that threatens to plunge United deep into the red.
Supporters are gripped with the fear of rising ticket prices and financial experts warn of an aggressive business plan that could rip the heart and soul out of the club.
But the battle is lost, the Glazer juggernaut has rolled into town, armed with suitcases crammed with borrowed cash and the American flag is merely days from being planted at the Theatre of Dreams.
Fast forward five years and the fears of 2005 have been realised, thousands of working class followers have fled, forced out as the price of 90 minutes of football rises year upon year.
In their place are a new breed of fan, sold the ‘United dream’ by the Glazer PR machine, but for an inflated price simply unaffordable to the ordinary supporter.
But there is hope, a group of rebel fans have grown into a green and gold army that has grabbed the imagination of the public and united the support.
Backed by a group of city investors known as the Red Knights, the prospect of a fresh takeover, five years on from the Glazer revolution, is a reality.
Now in this blog, I investigate the Glazer ownership, the deep unrest of the club’s fan base and the possibility of United being rescued from oblivion by a knight in shining armour.
