Glazer says Man Utd sale looks impossible as fans plan Aston Villa walk‑out

Manchester United turned a 2‑1 deficit into a 3‑2 victory over Roma, ending a nine‑match winless run. The win gave the Red Devils a brief lift as supporters prepared a walk‑out protest against Aston Villa.

On‑field fortunes

The triumph left United just above the relegation zone in the Premier League. They had also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton. After a 3‑0 defeat to Bournemouth, Michael Carrick was given extra time to impress. Fans continue to blame the owners for the club’s plight.

Ownership and financial outlook

Avram Glazer has hit out at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership of Man Utd. The football finance expert says the owners would find it extremely difficult to sell the club in their current circumstances.

The Glazers handed control of the football department to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS in February 2024 after he bought 27.7 per cent of the club from the American family.

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson insists a sale would be complicated now, noting the squad needs a large cash injection, the stadium project is enormously expensive and the club already carries considerable debt. He added that there is unlikely to be huge appetite for bids at present.

Borson also challenged Glazer’s claim that the Red Devils’ commercial power rivals that of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, pointing out that commercial revenue showed no growth between 2016 and 2022. He said post‑INEOS retail changes have lifted revenue but also increased costs, meaning the headline is misleading and on‑field performance does affect commercial income.

Supporters are planning a protest on Sunday against Aston Villa, with fans urged to walk out on the 21st minute to symbolise 21 years of failed ownership. Anti‑Glazers and anti‑INEOS chants echoed around Old Trafford, with some fans displaying signs reading “sell United and f*** off home”. Earlier, after the loss to the Cherries on 25 October, fans sang Carrick’s song as he left the pitch, followed by boos for the players.