The start of the season is clearly not ideal for Manchester United. Only sixteenth in the Premier League with 7 points in 8 matches, the Red Devils are in a sporting crisis. A situation far from surprising, as the management of the English club is regularly criticized across the Channel. Owners of the club since 2005, the Glazers have not had very significant control over the evolution of the Mancunian club. If this was not seen directly when coach Sir Alex Ferguson was piling up victories in the Premier League, the situation deteriorated after his departure in 2013. Since then, chronic irregularity has affected the English team whose results and seasons bring hope before falling again after yet another disappointment. For 13 years, there has been a Europa League in 2017, two FA Cups in 2016 and 2014, two League Cups in 2017 and 2023 and the Community Shield in 2016. Which is light for an institution like Manchester United.
Glazer, Avram and Joel have long been targeted by supporters of the English club who demand to return to the top as quickly as possible. The club’s co-owners remain in the shadows, observing the evolution of their team from afar. It’s been since 2019 that Joel Glazer has not been to Old Trafford, it was during a match against FC Barcelona in the quarter-final of the Champions League. The latter was previously very involved and had a close relationship with Ed Woodward, the executive vice-president at the time. He had also pushed during the Covid-19 pandemic for all club employees to retain their entire salary. But since then they have withdrawn and this has intensified since February 2024.
The choices of Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos do not pass
A pivotal date for the management of the Mancunian club. Long looking for new shareholders, the Glazers allowed Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group to take 28% of Manchester United’s shares for 1.5 billion euros. A minority shareholding accompanied by control of the English team’s football operations. And this takes a negative turn when we see the current dynamic. “The fans were all singing about the Glazers, but I’m not sure they realize how bad Jim is. He couldn’t have orchestrated a worse situation. He was demoted in all departments. This is basically the opposite of what he announced as a strategy.» also confided a source from the English club to ESPN.
The American media is also wondering about the lack of reaction from the Glazers who remain the majority shareholders. Indeed, the value of the club is constantly falling. Almost three years ago, Jim Ratcliffe paid an amount of 33 dollars per share of the club. Friday on the New York Stock Exchange, Red Devils shares were trading at $20.61. A real snub, especially since Ineos’ choices are not paid for internally. Many recruitments for strategic positions were botched and 500 job cuts took place. Choices that did not please co-presidents Joel and Avram Glazer, whom they consider far from decency and their traditional values. Added to this is a drop in transfer and salary budgets. For the moment, the Glazers have not yet acted, but there is no doubt that Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos risk being held to account quickly if the situation gets a little worse.
