Prospect magazine has published a very full analysis of the situation at Manchester United placing it within the context of the club’s history and the development of the game more generally. What is evident is that the Red Knights are now willing to play a waiting game with the Glazers. They are confident of their own funding and think that the cost of servicing the club’s debts will put pressure on the Glazers to sell. Against that one could argue that the Gla
Prospect magazine has published a very full analysis of the situation at Manchester United placing it within the context of the club’s history and the development of the game more generally. What is evident is that the Red Knights are now willing to play a waiting game with the Glazers. They are confident of their own funding and think that the cost of servicing the club’s debts will put pressure on the Glazers to sell. Against that one could argue that the Glazers still hope to redeem their investment through capital appreciation and would want a much higher price than the Red Knights have been prepared to offer.
The Red Knights have yet to finalise the ownership structure they would put in place at Old Trafford but it seems that they might combine a membership scheme with a long-term plan to sell a minority stake in the club to a trust held by supporters.
There is a Parliamentary debate today on supporter ownership and the desire for better governance in football. One argument one hears from those associated with the Red Knights is that mutual ownership at Manchester United could be attractive to the Conservatives because it would be a working example of their ‘big society’ theme.