Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OLD TRAFFORD IS IN LIMBO, AS IS UNITED... UNTIL THE GLAZERS GO
THE news that Old Trafford is not among the venues for the UK’s bid to stage Euro 2028 was not a shock.
In fact, it was flagged up a few days prior to the announcement in a statement from the club.
“Manchester United were pleased to put Old Trafford forward as a potential host of UEFA Euro 2028 matches and proud of the strong case we made.
“However, during followup discussions with the FA, it became clear that we were unable to provide the necessary certainty around the availability of Old Trafford due to potential redevelopment of the stadium.”
Hang on, what?
You put the stadium forward to host matches at a certain time, but also said you could not b e certain it would be available at that certain time?
And you thought that was a “strong case?”
That such a grand institution, such an iconic club, has descended into such shoddy limbo off the field (and it’s still not brilliant on the park) is the biggest indictment of an ownership that has been in place for 18 years. Yes, technically, Old Trafford was not snubbed by the Euro 2028 bid team, but it had to pull out of the running because no one at the club has a clue what will happen in 2028. “Potential redevelopment,” the statement said, but that could be 2028, it could be 2026, it could be 2038, it could be whenever. They do not have a clue.
This idea that Old Trafford is some sort of decrepit, crumbling edifice – completely unfit for purpose – is a falsehood.
But Manchester United have been left miles behind in providing an ultramodern, beautiful, commercial and fitting venue for such a club.
It is now 17 years since any sort of meaningful work was done there and it could be another 17 if the Glazers hang around.
And that is just one of many compelling reasons why the fans do need the Glazers out.
The current so-called sales process has descended into farce.
If Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus – who wanted to split the costs with the supporters – describes it as a “farce”, it must be bad.
The interested parties have been asked to enter a third round of bidding. And let’s face it, they will not be going anywhere near the £6billion asking price and will, sooner or later, tell the Glazers to stick it.
What then for United?
A great club will remain in shoddy limbo, paying dividends to the Glazers, carrying huge debt and a stadium that gets more outdated by the day.
Gary Neville believes the Glazers will eventually go because “after all this, it will be toxic” and “it will be unbearable for them”.
As long as it is within the law, of course, that is how United fans need to make it.
It is now 17 years since any sort of meaningful work was done there