Manchester United legend Gary Neville has had his say on what a prospective buyer of the club should do to win over fans and avoid repeating the Glazer’s mistakes.
A few days ago, the Glazer family announced that they were looking at strategic alternatives to help in the development of the club, including a complete sale.
Unsurprisingly, this announcement has put some of the world’s most prosperous billionaires, companies and sovereign wealth funds on high alert.
Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been mentioned as a likely bidder to take over the reins of his boyhood club.
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, also confirmed his government’s support for private bids that will go towards the purchase of United and Liverpool.
With potential takers lining up for what has been described as the sale of the century, Neville has said United fans deserve to see a manifesto.
The former United defender told Sky Sports: “I think what Manchester United fans need to see is a manifesto from the new owners. United cannot give in to an owner who basically yells against what the club stands for or what the club wants.
“So there are manifesto commitments that I think are really important, like fan voice, fan experience and maybe even fan positions on the board.”
The 47-year-old added: “These are promises that come to my mind and are really important to anyone making a bid for Manchester United. It is a manifesto that must be presented so that the fans can understand.”
Some of the things the United legend outlined that should be clearly stipulated in the manifesto include fan voice, fan experience, fan positions on the board of directors, stadium redevelopment and debt settlement.
Neville also made an impassioned plea to the Glazer family as they prepare to finally end their dominance over United, to make sure they get out the right way and not saddle fans with owners they don’t like.
He urged United’s owners not to prioritize money at the expense of the club’s future.
