Ferguson backs Glazer ownership

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended the Glazer family against criticism over their ownership of the club.

The American Glazer family are unpopular among some United supporters after loading the club with debt to complete their takeover in 2005.

Ferguson has spoken out in the owners’ defence, saying he has never encountered any problems during their time in charge and has pointed out the success the club has enjoyed during their leadership.

“I am absolutely comfortable with the Glazer situation. They have been great,” he told The Daily Mirror.

“It will always be contentious with them (the fans) whoever owns us.

“When I first came, Martin Edwards was always getting pelted because he was going to sell first to (Robert) Maxwell and then to (Rupert) Murdoch and Michael Knighton.

“When the club became a PLC there was a disaffection and again when the Glazers took over.

“So there has always been wee pockets of supporters who have their views, and there is nothing wrong with that.

“But I think the majority of real fans will look at it realistically and say it’s not affecting the team. We’ve won four championships since the owners came and also the Champions League.

“They have always backed me whenever I have asked them. I have never encountered opposition. They have always been as sensible as they can in terms of financing the team and they have to invest in the team to maintain the value of their asset.”

“I think the problem for the Glazers is they aren’t publicists. They don’t go out of their way to seek good publicity. They are happy to stay in the background, like (Roman) Abramovich at Chelsea.”

Despite United carrying considerable debts and struggling to compete with neighbours Manchester City in the transfer market, Ferguson cited upgrades to the club’s training ground as an indication of the Glazer’s positive influence.

“Look at what they are spending on the training ground,” the Scot said.

“It’s going to be fantastic. It’s a bit of a bomb site at the moment, but we are hoping it will be finished on time in October.

“When you start a project like that it just gets bigger and bigger. They’ll be spending 30 million pounds – and it’s all down to the owners.”