Fergie goes to war with anti-Glazer brigade
Published 23:00 28/07/10 By David McDonnell in Houston
Sir Alex Ferguson has gone to war with the anti-Glazer brigade by insisting Manchester United's hated owners have been a force of good for the club.
And the United boss said it was unfair of supporters to victimise the Glazer family for buying United - when he claimed the club was always going to be bought at some stage.
Having tried to placate United fans opposed to the Glazers by claiming to understand their concerns, Fergie's loyal show of support for United's owners will enrage those who want the Americans to sell up.
And against a backdrop of 4,000 season tickets going on general sale, an unprecedented step by United and one claimed as a victory by the anti-Glazer movement, who urged fans to boycott their purchase, Fergie's remarks could not have come at a worse time.
"The debt has come through the club being bought out by an owner," said Fergie. "You know very well that no matter which business is bought nowadays, it's usually bought with debt.
"But because it's a football club it seems to attract a different type of negative reporting via the media or particularly some of our fans.
"When Manchester United went PLC, without doubt it was always going to be bought. Somebody was going to buy it. It was inevitable.
"It's unfair that because a particular family like the Glazers have bought it, they should come under criticism when anybody could have bought it.
"I have to say they've done their job well. They support myself, the manager, and they've supported the players.
"I've never been refused when I've asked for money for a player so what can I do other than carry on the way we're doing it, and the way I'm allowed to carry on? I've no complaints.
United have failed to spend big in the transfer market for the second summer running, supporters claiming the club's £716.5m debt under the Glazers has left Fergie with no significant budget for players. Fergie, for his part, claims there is money there but he sees no value in the current market.
Fergie: My successor can't afford to be afraid of our achievements
Fergie: The kids will be my real legacy when I finally quit United
We won't be bullied into big spending by Man City, says Fergie
