Sir Jim Ratcliffe has embarrassed the Glazers again with Manchester United stadium plans

Next month will mark the fourth anniversary of the birth and collapse of the European Super League.

Manchester United were one of six Premier League clubs that signed up to become founding members of the breakaway league, before fan pressure forced them into an embarrassing climbdown. They, alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, quickly pulled the plug.

Joel Glazer stepped forward the following day and issued an apology, admitting he and the rest of United's owners "got it wrong". He also acknowledged that the supporters deserved better, vowing to deliver a better level of communication.

"Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values," he said. "The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.

"We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club."

Until Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos came along in February last year, communication and dialogue with the fans remained at a premium. Supporters were kept in the dark throughout the farcical takeover saga that unfolded between November 2022 and December 2023.

Avram Glazer had the chance to issue an update on the situation in the Wembley mixed zone after United lost 2-1 to City in the FA Cup final in May 2023 but he chose to ignore a reporter's question on the subject, walking straight past.

More than a year's worth of silence understandably ruffled feathers and only increased the levels of anger among the fan base towards the Glazer family.