Graeme Souness has launched a surprising defence of the Glazer family, insisting Manchester United fans' anger is "misdirected".
Thousands of supporters protested outside Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, forcing the kick-off time for United's match against Liverpool to be delayed.
Fans have made their fury at the club's ownership and the collapsed Super League proposals clear, with supporters breaking into Old Trafford to remonstrate on the pitch.
Whilst the football community has, by and large, supported Manchester United fans' protests, Souness claimed that it will not impact the Glazers and their frustrations are misplaced.
“I don’t think it will (have an impact). The Glazers, since Fergie retired, have given successive managers over a billion pound to spend. I think it’s £719million net spend over the eight years," Souness told Sky Sports.
"I think it’s born out of United not being top dogs as much as what happened last week, I think that’s another excuse to have a go at them. These are serious, serious business people, I don’t think this will impact on their thoughts. I really don’t.
“We live in a country where you can demonstrate, you can vent your feelings, you’re allowed to do it, but I still don’t see it impacting on the Glazers one little bit. If you think you can bring serious pressure to serious business people who live 3,000 miles away, across the Atlantic, that it will drive them to accept a discounted offer for Manchester United, that will not happen.
"They’ve had to put collateral in, you don’t just go to the bank and say I want to buy Manchester United, I’ll need £500million or however much it costs to buy, without committing some sort of collateral.
"They’ve risked things to buy Manchester United, since then, they’ve given successive managers fortunes to spend. It’s only since Fergie stopped that the success has stopped and I think that irritates supporters and they have become the focus of their anger. I think it’s slightly misdirected.”
