Most Manchester United fans know the truth about Michael Knighton's takeover hopes

It was August 1989 and Manchester United were set to play Arsenal at Old Trafford. The club's then chief executive, Martin Edwards, had just accepted a £20million takeover bid from businessman Michael Knighton, who decided to introduce himself to supporters in an unorthodox fashion.

Knighton took to the Old Trafford pitch ahead of kick-off, clad in boots and a training kit. Knighton was an ambitious 37-year-old with a dream of owning United and fans didn't know what to make of this figure bizarrely juggling the ball in front of the Stretford End. Knighton had the framework in place to take over the club but the deal collapsed shortly after his surprise Old Trafford audition after key investors withdrew their support.

There have been 33 years since Knighton's failed takeover attempt and United have enjoyed more success than any other club in England throughout that period, however, the club is now at a crossroads after a decade of failure and false promises.

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The club has wrestled with its identity over the last 10 years. There have been only three major trophies won since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and the two trophies that really matter, the Premier League and Champions League, have not been hoisted for nine and 14 years respectively. United have become synonymous with mediocrity and supporters want to be freed from the Glazers' shackles.

Last year's European Super League proposal was the catalyst for unprecedented protests against the Glazers and proved that anger against the American owners had not gone away, and it is being felt again this summer.

United endured their worst season for decades last year and this transfer window