Why a load of bankers are the last people Man United fans should want owning their club

By David McDonnell

Published 10:36 04/03/10

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So the Red Knights are ready to ride to Manchester United's rescue, with a £1billion buy-out to save the club from a life of debt?

The Barron Knights would stand a better chance of buying the club from the Glazers and running it successfully than a group of United-supporting suits from the City.

The Glazers may be mistrusted by United fans for saddling their club with such a huge debt burden, currently standing at £715million. But City bankers? Come off it.

After the recent economic meltdown, they are loathed by the general public more than expenses-fiddling MPs or - dare I say it - tabloid journalists.

The idea that the Red Knights, led by serial football club takeover fixer Keith Harris, are somehow going to emerge as United's benevolent saviour, is frankly laughable.

Do those United fans who are behind the Red Knights proposal really think this group of 30 or 40 super-rich investors are not going to want to get a return on their investment?

These 'super-investors' will not be ploughing their hard-earned millions into a takeover bid out of the goodness of their hearts, just to be revered by United fans for their generosity.

No, they will want to see a tangible return on the money they put in, just like the Glazers are currently doing. It's called business, and anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded.

And, as United chief executive David Gill put it at the Soccerex convention in Manchester this week, when he ridiculed the Red Knights' plan, who would run United under them?

A multitude of investors would want a direct say in the running of the club, a situation which in reality would only lead to conflict and a lack of consensus among those in charge.

That is, of course, assuming the Red Knights could even raise £1bn in the first place, not withstanding the fact the Glazers value United at £1.2bn, thus pricing Harris and his cronies out of any takeover bid.

So perhaps for United fans it's a case of better the devil you know, despite the fierce - and growing opposition - to the Glazer family's ownership of their club.

The irony of the anti-Glazer movement is that it has come at arguably the most successful period in United's history on the pitch.

Three straight Premier League titles, on course for an unprecedented fourth - and a record 19th in all - and two successive Champions League finals, including victory in 2008.

Oh, and the small matter of a Carling Cup triumph over Aston Villa just a few days ago, the first time in United's illustrious history they have ever managed to retain a cup.

The anti-Glazer movement, the green and gold campaign and the sustained efforts of United fans to rid their club of its huge debt burden are to be admired, not mocked.

But with the Glazers determined to stay put until at least 2017, when the recently-lauched £500million bonds initiative comes to fruition, their attempts to oust them look futile.

And while they are consumed by their desire to rid United of the Glazers, they risk failing to enjoy one of the greatest periods in the history of the club they support so fervently.

As Gill said this week: "In an ideal world, would people like not to have a mortgage on their house?

"Yes, but a lot of people do have mortgages and they still enjoy the benefits of owning that house."

United may be mortgaged to the hilt under the Glazers, but until a billionaire benefactor like Manchester owner City Sheikh Mansour emerges to save them, they may be better off as they are.

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