Manchester United’s owners – the Glazers family – are among the most hated in all of the Premier League. Fans of the club have been protesting for years in order to get them out of the club, and with good reason.
It is almost ten years since the once-conquerors of English football won a Premier League trophy. And they have not won a trophy in the past five years, ever since Jose Mourinho won the Europa League with the club. During the Glazer’s ownership, the club has suffered badly while their rivals have strengthened up and even surpassed them in many aspects.
Stats that show how Glazers have ruined Manchester United
– United is the only Premier League club that pays dividends to its shareholders, with the majority of that money going to the six Glazer family members who hold shares in the club.
– Since 2016, United have paid £166million to their shareholders, averaging £22million a year.
– United have also paid £743million in interest since the Glazers’ leveraged buy-out in 2005.
– No Premier League club made a bigger interest payment in 2020-21 than United (£21million).
– Between 2010 and 2021, United paid £517million in interest payments. The other 19 clubs from the 2020-21 Premier League season paid a total of £536million in interest payments over the same period of time.
– Despite all the refinancings, Manchester United’s £592million gross debt is virtually unchanged since the Glazers’ arrival – it was £604million back in 2006.
– Only Tottenham, thanks to their shiny new stadium, have more debt than United.
– United’s infrastructure spending between 2012 and 2021 amounts to just £136million. Manchester City have spent nearly three times that (£374million) while Tottenham’s new stadium and training ground has seen them spend around £1.4billion.
– The Glazers took £154million out of Manchester United between 2012 and 2021. No Premier League owner has taken out more money than them in the last 10 years.
– While the Glazers take money from United, City’s owners put £684million into their club over the same period. Chelsea’s owners also invested £516million while Aston Villa’s owners put in £506million.
– Between 2017 and 2021, Chelsea made more than five times as much in player sales as United. Wolves, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton, Arsenal, Everton, Man City, Leicester City and Liverpool also made more.
– United’s revenue has dropped by £87million since 2017 while Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and City have seen their revenue increase.
– The Glazers have sold some Class A shares in Manchester United over the years, making around £465million. But the club hasn’t received any of the proceeds from those sales.
