Joel Glazer is to attend an online Manchester United fans’ forum on 4 June, the first time he will directly engage with supporters since his family bought the club in 2005. The co-chairman has said he hopes this will usher in a “new era”.
The move follows protests against the Glazers outside Old Trafford, including one that caused United’s game with Liverpool on 2 May to be postponed. The club also lost a proposed 10-year, £200m training kit sponsorship with The Hut Group because the local business has concerns about fans targeting United’s commercial partners.
In a press release, Glazer said: “I am looking forward to the meeting with the Fans’ Forum to hear their views and be part of a constructive discussion. I firmly believe this can open a new era of positive dialogue and cooperation between the club and fans.”
The forum consists of at least 11 match-attending supporters drawn from different sections of Old Trafford. Glazer may face questions about United’s £455m debt, the £1bn-plus interest payments made by the club in the family’s 16-year ownership to service this, and the joining of the now defunct European Super League, which reignited lingering frustration with the Glazers.
