Manchester United are marking 20 years under the control of the Glazer family – and its been a period defined by turbulence, protests and controversy at Old Trafford
The Glazer family have hit a landmark many Manchester United supporters hoped would never come. The American billionaires have now been in charge of the Premier League giants for 20 years – and it’s been a period packed full of incident and controversy.
Although Joel and Avram Glazer have been the most prominent members of the family who bought United in 2005 for £790million, it was Malcom Glazer who oversaw the deal. The ride has been rocky almost ever since, with United supporters regularly protesting against what they see as absentee owners who are only interested in bleeding the club of its money.
The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team last year has done little to change the opinion of most United fans. But while Ratcliffe has taken control over business decisions in exchange for £1.3bn, the Glazers, who also own NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have remained unbowed in their decision to stay involved at United.
They have now reached 20 years at the helm of one of the world’s most famous sporting institutions. To mark the occasion, Mirror Football has taken a look over the most notable moments of their reign.
READ MORE: Transfer News LIVE: Arsenal plot PSG raid, Man Utd want Onana replacement, Liverpool priorityREAD MORE: Antony aims thinly-veiled dig at Man Utd: “Best decision I’ve ever made”
May 2005 – The Glazers become majority owners of United
The Glazers buy out Irish shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus to control 57 percent of the club and become majority stakeholders. Days later, they increased their stake to 75 percent.
June 2005 – The Glazers takeover of United is ratified
United is delisted by the Glazers following their takeover, with the club plunged into debt of around £700m, leading to the first major protests from fans. Joel, Bryan and Avram Glazer visit Old Trafford and are forced to leave in the back of a police van to avoid a baying mob of fans.
February 2010 – The Green and Gold Anti-Glazer protests start
United fans start wearing green and gold scarves, produced by the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) during the League Cup final win over Aston Villa. The scarves, displaying the colours of Newton Heath, the club formed in 1878 which became United in 1902, become an instantly-recognisable anti-Glazer symbol.
June 2009 – United’s debt rises to £716m
United sell Cristinao Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world record fee of £80m, but even that cannot stop the club’s debt rising from £660m £716m, while a refinancing of that debt, incurring greater interest, sparks more protests from militant fans.
July 2012 – United listed on the New York Stock Exchange
United starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange, with the Glazers making £75m by selling a significant chunk of their shares.
May 2014 – Malcolm Glazer dies
Malcolm Glazer, who never once visited Old Trafford, dies aged 85. The Glazer family sell a further portion of their shareholding, making them £129m, and reiterate their stance of not selling the club for at least five years.
August 2017 – Glazers make more money from share sales
The Glazer family continues to make personal profit from United, selling another chunk of shares that makes them £56.85m, with none of that money being ploughed back into the club.
April 2021: United join breakaway European Super League
Driven by Joel Glazer, United are one of the leaders behind the breakaway European Super League, but fans reacted furiously to the proposal, storming Old Trafford to force the postponement of their Premier League game against Liverpool in May. The backlash sees United pull out of the proposal.
November 2022: Glazers hint at full sale of United
United fans opposed to the Glazers react with delight when the family announces it is “commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives”, suggesting an end to their toxic 17-year spell in charge.
February 2023: Bids launched to buy United
INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar millionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani bid to buy United. Ratcliffe is ultimately successful, acquiring a quarter share of the club, after Sheikh Jassim withdraws his bid.
December 2023: Ratcliffe buys a 25 percent stake in United
Ratcliffe purchases a 25 percent stake in United and gains control of football operations at the club under the terms of his acquisition.
February 2025 – Falling revenues follow mass job cuts at United
United’s revenue drops to £198.7m for the final three months of 2024, down from £225.8m for the same period the previous year, with the club debt £731m, as well as owing more than £300m in transfer fees. The figures come on the back of United making 250 staff redundant, with up to 200 more job losses planned.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports’ discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes more than 1,000 live matches each season across the Premier League, EFL and more.
