Avram Glazer's recent comments that poor performances on the pitch won't affect Manchester United's commercial power could help supporters in their push for a change of ownership, as efforts to remove the club's owners gain momentum again.
Glazer last attended a game at Old Trafford in September for the Manchester derby, when supporters held a protest against the club's treatment of season-ticket holders before the match. The police initially estimated that approximately 500 fans had gathered. More gradually joined the demonstration as it moved down Sir Matt Busby Way towards the ground, but it wasn't a huge turnout, despite organisers being pleased with the number of participants.
Protests have forced responses before
The Glazers have generally been unmoved by protests, having been consistently targeted since 2005, but they were forced to respond when hordes of United fans protested over the Super League proposal, and when 10,000 supporters marched to Old Trafford to protest not long after that.
Joel Glazer apologised "unreservedly" for the club's involvement in the Super League plans. A year later, fans protested before United's game against Liverpool in August 2022, the largest demonstration in recent years, which led the Glazers to announce they would explore "strategic alternatives for the club", including a sale.
Current protests and plans
United fans have been provoked by the team's worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years. Supporters have protested against the ownership through good and bad times, but the team's current plight has increased anger, although that alone is not enough to trigger a large-scale protest.
United fans have been in dialogue over the last few weeks about how to increase pressure on the club's owners and attract more media attention. An online contingent launched a campaign targeting the club's sponsors on social media, while matchgoers have hatched a plan to increase visibility.
That is why 3,000 green and gold balloons were seen in the Stretford End and tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch during the Roma game on Tuesday night. "We want the Glazers out," echoed around the ground after the winning goal, and was aired again following full-time.
Glazer's comments could stoke the fire
The Athletic revealed that Avram Glazer mimicked Ed Woodward during a rare public-speaking appearance at Deutsche Bank's inaugural Sports Investment Conference in London in September, comparing United with the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys as major global brands.
Those comparisons should concern United fans because the Yankees last won a World Series in 2009, while the Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl since 1995. United have won five trophies since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but they have not won the Premier League since 2013.
Woodward's comments on the club's ability to generate revenue regardless of what happens on the pitch incensed supporters, and Avram Glazer's reiteration of the point will stoke the fire as anger simmers. It is the kind of comment that will only help supporters build momentum as they ramp up their protests.
