Since invading the consciousness of Manchester United fans in the early 2000s, no single family has brought more anger to the streets of the North West’s largest city than the Glazers.
The history of the Americans’ ownership of the Red Devils is littered with mass marches, sponsorship boycotts, the burning of season tickets and effigies, and even the formation of a protest club – FC United of Manchester.
A debt of £761million followed them into the club like a bad odour, with the majority of the £800million used to complete their 2005 purchase raised through loans taken out against the club’s assets. This marked the first time the club had found itself in debt since 1931.
Five years into the Glazers’ reign, one group of wealthy fans called the Red Knights decided that enough was enough.
Were it not for a racehorse dispute, the Glazers might never have risen to become sole owners of the club. Seriously.
In 2003, a dispute between Sir Alex Ferguson and shareholders John Magnier and J. P. McManus over the ownership of the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar led to the Irishmen attempting to have the manager removed from his role. The attempt failed, obviously.
As retaliation, the United board sought out fresh investment in a bid to reduce the pair’s influence on the day-to-day running of the club.
Avram Glazer, son of Malcolm, informed his dad of the club’s search for new investors. Having seen their NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, lift their first Superbowl two months earlier, a 2.9% stake was purchased for £9million.
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, led in by 'owner' Sir Alex Ferguson following the colts defeat of stable-mate, and favourite, Hawk Wing in the 2000 Guineas.
Bitterness was to follow with a dispute over breeding rights
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