Manchester United

[nev]

The score did indeed flatter United and their defending at times was shambolic. However disagree totally about Valencia he was the best player on the park by a mile. He is primarily there to put crosses into the box which he does repeatedly,with both feet,the United strikers and mid field have got to get in there and take advantage which they are not doing. Any goals he scores are a bonus.He does have 5 in the EPL. Nani... you get it all with him ,times of brilliance combined with air swings and wrong options ,would be nightmare to play alongside.Ferguson would have had one eye on the mid week clash with City,thats one game he doesnt want to lose. Next Saturday is Hull and then Arsenal the following weekend,interesting times but United no where near their potential and Berbatov hobbling off may mean an operation beckons for him. Everton murdered City last night and Mancini's honeymoon is over,they were totally outplaye dal over the park. will they react against United ?

Sparky watch the game again mate i doubt you will see valencia cross or shoot with his left foot.

I Rate valencia i think he will only get better.

Asfor sharecropoper's question i do think owen can play in the same team as rooney,but if cannot i can see diouf getting a few chances,or throw macheda when fit up there and there is also wellbeck plus two excellent prospects in king and keane in the youth set up that i reckon are ready for the big step up.

[LeungKen]

Re Berbatov injury - if he is out for a while, do any Man U fans think Owen can play in the same team as Rooney, or is Diouf the man for the job?

Judging by the way Diouf got his goal (neatly and gently heading it over the 'keeper) his goal celebration and his general play for the 10 or 15 mins he played for, then I'm going ton stick my neck out and say Doiuf looks like he could well be the man for the job.

"Good Luck Young Man"

[Sparkles]

Re Berbatov injury - if he is out for a while, do any Man U fans think Owen can play in the same team as Rooney, or is Diouf the man for the job?

Of course he can but Fergie insists he can't for whatever reason. Good players, and internationals at that , can adapt. The only problem is aerial ,neither are giants. Why he has not given them the opportunty to try and develop an understanding is one of the great mysteries.Owen has always been a great goal poacher ,look at his record,you dont see him score from long distance and the balls that have been flying into the box of late, from Valencia are tailor made for Owen.

Douf is great prospect, as is Macheda, but not sure you could expect them to lead the line just yet.

Was really disapointed United did not get Benzema in the summer, he is bench bound at Real Madrid and would have been perfect with Rooney

[Sparkles]

The score did indeed flatter United and their defending at times was shambolic. However disagree totally about Valencia he was the best player on the park by a mile. He is primarily there to put crosses into the box which he does repeatedly,with both feet,the United strikers and mid field have got to get in there and take advantage which they are not doing. Any goals he scores are a bonus.He does have 5 in the EPL. Nani... you get it all with him ,times of brilliance combined with air swings and wrong options ,would be nightmare to play alongside.Ferguson would have had one eye on the mid week clash with City,thats one game he doesnt want to lose. Next Saturday is Hull and then Arsenal the following weekend,interesting times but United no where near their potential and Berbatov hobbling off may mean an operation beckons for him. Everton murdered City last night and Mancini's honeymoon is over,they were totally outplaye dal over the park. will they react against United ?

Sparky watch the game again mate i doubt you will see valencia cross or shoot with his left foot.

I Rate valencia i think he will only get better.

Asfor sharecropoper's question i do think owen can play in the same team as rooney,but if cannot i can see diouf getting a few chances,or throw macheda when fit up there and there is also wellbeck plus two excellent prospects in king and keane in the youth set up that i reckon are ready for the big step up.

Nev I watch EVERY game live and the repeat at least once on Man U TV while Valencia does not have a strong left foot and prefers to cross with is right its not like he doesnt have a left foot albeit weak and more for crossing and not shooting. Could you not say the same about Ryan Giggs ? His right foot is not exactly a weapon but he has managed to get by over the last 23 years . I'm sure the coaching staff at OT have noted Valencias preference and will work on him. He is only 23 and an exciting prospect. At Wigan he scored 7 goals in 3 seasons .He has hit 5 already for United.The guy is going to fill that postion for many years ,hopefully

[nev]

The score did indeed flatter United and their defending at times was shambolic. However disagree totally about Valencia he was the best player on the park by a mile. He is primarily there to put crosses into the box which he does repeatedly,with both feet,the United strikers and mid field have got to get in there and take advantage which they are not doing. Any goals he scores are a bonus.He does have 5 in the EPL. Nani... you get it all with him ,times of brilliance combined with air swings and wrong options ,would be nightmare to play alongside.Ferguson would have had one eye on the mid week clash with City,thats one game he doesnt want to lose. Next Saturday is Hull and then Arsenal the following weekend,interesting times but United no where near their potential and Berbatov hobbling off may mean an operation beckons for him. Everton murdered City last night and Mancini's honeymoon is over,they were totally outplaye dal over the park. will they react against United ?

Sparky watch the game again mate i doubt you will see valencia cross or shoot with his left foot.

I Rate valencia i think he will only get better.

Asfor sharecropoper's question i do think owen can play in the same team as rooney,but if cannot i can see diouf getting a few chances,or throw macheda when fit up there and there is also wellbeck plus two excellent prospects in king and keane in the youth set up that i reckon are ready for the big step up.

Nev I watch EVERY game live and the repeat at least once on Man U TV while Valencia does not have a strong left foot and prefers to cross with is right its not like he doesnt have a left foot albeit weak and more for crossing and not shooting. Could you not say the same about Ryan Giggs ? His right foot is not exactly a weapon but he has managed to get by over the last 23 years . I'm sure the coaching staff at OT have noted Valencias preference and will work on him. He is only 23 and an exciting prospect. At Wigan he scored 7 goals in 3 seasons .He has hit 5 already for United.The guy is going to fill that postion for many years ,hopefully

I am sure he will be our right winger fot a long time unless the gimps sell him to pay off the debt,and i agree the coaching staff will work on his left foot he will be excellent then.

His return of goals has been a bonus for us,if he can make 10 will be a very successfull season for him.

Just like to add tuesday nights game is shapeing up to be a cracking game,i cannot wait!

[redrus]

5 friends have given up their season tickets this week, no more home games for any of us. Enough is enough, one of them is even being held in breach of contract as apparently he has not been to enough cup matches. Disgraceful.....!!!!!

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

redrus

[nev]

5 friends have given up their season tickets this week, no more home games for any of us. Enough is enough, one of them is even being held in breach of contract as apparently he has not been to enough cup matches. Disgraceful.....!!!!!

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

redrus

Mate i have not set foot in old trafford since 2003/2004 season,i used to go back once a year to visit family and time it when certain games i wanted to attend,now i dont bother i will not put one dime in the gimps pockets.

I have a mate who has had his season ticket cancelled due to the 3 strikes you are out rule with the auto cup scheme,he has been going united for 30 years,they refunded the remaining games to him,and at a time when we are in a bad financial positon they are getting rid of time served reds,maybe more room for the day trippers who are ruining our game,sad state or affairs.

[redrus]

Glazer thugs suppress peaceful protest

From the MUST site

A peaceful protest against the Glazer ownership of Manchester United took place near the end of the game yesterday with a flag being unfurled from Tier 2 of the Stretford End which was accompanied by loud chants of Glazers Out.

Witnesses said the response of the Manchester United security staff was brutal and almost certainly illegal.

MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said "What exactly did these supporters do wrong? Is it illegal to make a peaceful protest about the ownership of our football club? Questions need to be asked by the authorities about the stewards actions, the suppression of free speech and the right to make a peaceful protest."

"We also understand that a number of supporters were detained/ejected who did not have any involvement in the protest but were simply sitting in the front row. We urge anyone affected and other witnesses to contact MUST."

"There is a huge upsurge of anti-Glazer feeling since the publication of the bond prospectus with more than 1,000 new members joining MUST in the last 2 days. It is crucial to link all United supporters together through the supporters trust to bring pressure to bear on the owners."

LINK to Photos.

Manchester United Supporters Trust.......... JOIN HERE.

redrus

[mrbojangles]

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

Here, here

Ready for tomorrow boys ?

[redrus]

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

Here, here

Ready for tomorrow boys ?

Reports today suggest a 1.2 billion takeover from Qatar, where we've just been training. If that does not come through, I'm ready to see my club fall to get it back in the fan's hands again, as long as the gimps FO most will be happy htough....!

Ready as ever mate...

redrus

[bkkjames]

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

Here, here

Ready for tomorrow boys ?

Guess you were resting your good players against Everton?

[Sparkles]

I urge all of you to not attend home games or purchase any goods from the club.

Here, here

Ready for tomorrow boys ?

Guess you were resting your good players against Everton?

Well Robhino certainly was .How humilating for a sub to be subbed but his performance was shameful, pulling out of tackles. Always thought while he is clever player at times has a heart the size of a pea.Mancini certainly did the right thing .Robhino down the tunnel and out of Eastlands if they can sell him. Anyway the game against Everton, I guess has no bearing on the game against United ,but City would be obviously looking to bounce back. Everton murdered them all over the pitch ,one of the most comprehensive performances I have ever seen from Everton.No doubt City supporters would see it differently.Trust the game this week will be on TV (free i guess)

[Jockstar]

ANTI-GLAZER SENTIMENT MOUNTING

Fans call on Fergie to quit in Glazer protest

By Soccernet staff

January 18, 2010

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A Manchester United fans' group is considering asking Sir Alex Ferguson to quit as manager of the club, in protest of the Glazer family's ownership of the reigning Premier League champions.

GettyImages

The Glazer brothers: Apparently unconcerned by the club's huge debts.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (previously Shareholders United) - widely accepted as the fans' "official opposition" to the Glazers after they attempted unsuccesfully to prevent the Americans' 2005 takeover - met to discuss the club's current situation before United's 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday. Many agreed it is time for Ferguson, in charge at Old Trafford for more than 23 years, to stand down in order to make a drastic statement about the club's financial situation.

Ferguson has often defended the Glazers but was openly opposed to their takeover before it went through, with Johnny Flacks, a founding member and former chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association, suggesting that a letter campaign directed at the United boss could convince him to resign.

"This is not intended as an Alex Ferguson rant," Flacks told the Guardian. "But he claims to be a socialist, a former shop steward and a man of the people, so he must be horrified by what is going on.

"It would work only if thousands of people sent a copy of this letter to Ferguson letting him know that our fear, if the Glazers stay in control, is that his legacy is going to be destroyed. We wouldn't want that and I don't think he would either."

Fans also discussed the possibility of asking United fans' favourite and Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona to act as their figurehead, and plans are being put in place for a protest march before the Champions League tie against Milan on March 10.

United supporters' groups have been in fervent opposition to the Glazer family, both before the takeover in June 2005, and ever since - with anti-Glazer chanting rife during the win against Burnley. Stewards were also quick to confiscate a large banner reading: "Love United, hate Glazer", after it was briefly unfurled at the Stretford End.

The Glazers recently revealed a refinancing plan but it has been met by scepticism by most supporters, with many now believing that Ferguson, who has led United throught he most successful era in the club's history, should make the ultimate sacrifice and quit the Old Trafford hotseat.

"We are talking about a manager who has achieved so much for the club and has created the monster that is Manchester United," Flack said. But we have to look at the greater good and at the moment we have the ludicrous situation where a club that gets over 70,000 supporters is losing money.

"This would be Ferguson's chance of saying that something had to be done. He would be looking after the club in the longer term if it meant the Glazers would sell more quickly. And if he said he was going to resign, maybe that would also encourage potential buyers to hurry up."

"Moving to Carrington was his baby and he must be horrified that the Glazers could now be thinking of selling Carrington and then arranging for it to be leased back," Flacks said. "That would make Manchester United no better than a non-league club not even owning a training ground."

[rixalex]

Trust the game this week will be on TV (free i guess)

I don't have much faith. Prior games haven't been shown. If anyone finds out TV details would you mind posting. Cheers.

[sharecropper]

Are they mad? Man Utd Supporter's Trust must be funded by Liverpool fans, with an agenda to destabilise Manchester United, and turn it too into a mid-table side.

[redrus]

Fans fight back at being told: sit down, keep quiet and pay up

Could this be the week when supporters' patience with self-serving club owners finally snapped? Robin Scott-Elliot gauges the mood of unrest

The Independent

Saturday, 16 January 2010

At lunchtime today, in a pub in Stretford, a group of Manchester United fans will meet to consider, as another committed Red once put it, what is to be done. Afterwards they will make the short journey to Old Trafford and watch United take on Burnley to end a week that has left them feeling more alienated than ever from their club.

It began on Monday with news of the Glazers' attempt to raise £500m through a bond scheme. Over the following days details of the bid emerged; Carrington, the training ground, could be sold, even Old Trafford itself. All that on top of the huge levels of debt piled on what had once been one of the world's richest clubs. "There was a feeling of despair when I read that document," says Mark Longden, chair of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association. "It has been creeping in for a number of years, but the bond issue has hit home with a lot of people. They are completely disillusioned."

And it is not only at United. Down the East Lancs Road, it's been another week of turmoil. "Blow Me, ****face," was how Tom Hicks Jnr chose to address one Liverpool supporter; in effect a blunt summation of how many fans feel they are being treated by the men who own their clubs.

From Portsmouth to Newcastle, there is a growing sense of discontent among those who fill the grounds, and are filling them as never before. Attendances across the English game are at their highest level for half a century and they need to be if clubs are to continue to operate effectively in an increasingly bitter financial climate. "We depend on our match-day supporters," stated the Glazers' brochure. But among those match-day supporters there is little sense that the Glazers, Hicks, Ashleys and their ilk care about them.

"It is still fundamentally the people who troop through the turnstiles that generate most revenue for the clubs," says Neil Mitchell, chairman of the Newcastle United Supporters Trust "But there does seem to be a mood among fans... a disenfranchised generation out there who don't feel that football is theirs any more."

"We are tired of being told to sit down, shut up," says Michael Brunskill of the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF). Among some that has left a weary resignation, among others it has sparked a desire to instigate change. Portsmouth fans this week created a supporters' trust with a view to earning a seat on the board, while Newcastle's trust harbours the ambition of running their club. Their dream is something along the lines of the Barcelona model, where members vote in a chairman. "The aim is to run the club, in the short term to get fan representation," says Mitchell. "It can work if... there are always lots of ifs – but even if half of those who have pledged help, or businesses that have said they will get involved, do, we will have one hel_l of a war chest.

"It could work anywhere, partly because belts are being tightened. It could certainly help a club like Portsmouth. All models have limitations but on the figures we've seen there is no reason it could not work."

Supporters' trusts have a modest record of success and have been confined largely to the lower end of the Football League. Exeter City are the shining example, having achieved two promotions since their trust took control, but Stockport after three relatively successful years went into administration last year, while Notts County's made the fateful decision to hand its majority stake to Qadbak.

Newcastle's trust have 12,000 signed up to their "Yes We Can" campaign, ShareLiverpoolfc has attracted 10,000 members and the Manchester United Supporters Trust is now 36,500 strong. The numbers are impressive but their hopes of forcing regime change remain, in reality, thin. "The outlook for football is bleak," states Longden.

Rising ticket prices, a feature of the Glazer regime in particular, is perhaps the pivotal factor in the disgruntlement. The FSF, among others, has concerns over younger fans being priced out of the game. As Kevin Parker, secretary of Manchester City's fan club, puts it "there is a danger of a generation being lost to football unless the clubs do something."

Being a City fan is currently an unusually uplifting experience. "It's nice to sit back and watch United and Liverpool fans not being very happy," says Parker, although while the mood of gloom is conspicuously absent over the blue half of Manchester there is an appreciation of unrest elsewhere. "I know other fans feel they are not particularly well treated by the clubs or the Premier League."

The Glazers have left it too late to attempt to copy the charm offensive City's new regime undertook – they even invited groups of supporters to tasting sessions to decide what food should be sold at Eastlands. The Glazers have simply left a bad taste at Old Trafford.

But it is not so much revolution that is in the Manchester air as despair. Not all the fans will leave O'Briens in Stretford this afternoon and head for the game. "I was priced out a few years ago," says Longden, "an ordinary bloke on 20-odd grand a year. Even if the supporters' trust raised £700m they couldn't buy a stake in the club. There's a feeling we can do nothing about it. We are in an impossible situation."

redrus

[redrus]

Are they mad? Man Utd Supporter's Trust must be funded by Liverpool fans, with an agenda to destabilise Manchester United, and turn it too into a mid-table side.

No they are not and, they are right. I will quite happily see my club fall through the leagues to get it out of the gimps hands and back in to ours.....

redrus

[mrbojangles]

Anyway the game against Everton, I guess has no bearing on the game against United ,but City would be obviously looking to bounce back. Everton murdered them all over the pitch ,one of the most comprehensive performances I have ever seen from Everton.

We were atrocious to be honest.

No doubt City supporters would see it differently.

Nope. We concur with you. Well, all the City fans I know.

[sharecropper]

Are they mad? Man Utd Supporter's Trust must be funded by Liverpool fans, with an agenda to destabilise Manchester United, and turn it too into a mid-table side.

No they are not and, they are right. I will quite happily see my club fall through the leagues to get it out of the gimps hands and back in to ours.....

redrus

Well, I can't argue with that expression of fan seriousness, although you all probably know it will never come to that, if you are lucky.

But even if Fergie left, why do you think that would force the Glazers out?

I just don't understand how Man U supporters see the club being what - sold to them? Is there a clear business plan in place for how the Glazers would be bought out and the debts settled?

[redrus]

^

Of course we would prefer someone who has football if not United in their blood to come in takeover and, give the supporters the chance to part own the club again but, if that is not the case, we are confident that should the worst happen and, United go under, we are able then to start again knowing that our numbers are great enough.

We want our club back.....!!!!!

Our 38,000+ strong organisation is grounded on two simple beliefs.

1. That supporters, not absentee investors, are our club's lifeblood. It is our support, our passion, and indeed our funds that propel the club.

2. That because we are its lifeblood, the club's priorities should reflect our priorities. We want a rampant United with world-class players winning trophies, where the money the club earns is continually reinvested and not creamed off by an investor to his own benefit.

To this end, we strive for a future in which the loyal supporters of Manchester United FC possess significant ownership in the club. Only by securing a meaningful ownership stake can we ensure -- permanently and irrevocably -- that the priorities are set straight. We aim for the day when the distinction between supporters and owners no longer exists.

Do we want to run the club? No, of course not. We believe that the club should be professionally managed by qualified individuals who understand the operational side of running the world's greatest club. (Click here to learn what we mean when we say "supporter owned".) But we do believe that the priorities should be ours; that the football and the future of the club must forever come first.

Nor does supporter ownership mean that the club shouldn't generate a profit. It does mean that any profit should not go into the pockets of investors but should be used for the good of the football club and the supporters, either to build the team or reduce ticket prices or improve the ground.

What is supporter ownership?

Supporter ownership is a reality across England and there are numerous ways in which supporters influence the affairs of their Club. When we talk about supporter ownership, we mean the following:

* Supporter ownership for us relates to owning the club in perpetuity so it can never be sold off.

* Ownership is important because it means that we can ensure the club pursues supporters' priorities such as greater investment, improved atmosphere and lower ticket prices among others.

* While we want to see the club pursue these goals, we have neither the desire nor the intention to run the day-to-day affairs of the club. A club like United should be run by professionals whose experience and expertise will ensure its success.

* We also believe all matters pertaining to the football should be the left to the manager. We're supporters, not football managers – we'll let them decide who to buy and who should play!

*Taken from the MUST website.

redrus

[sharecropper]

Thanks. I'm not taking the piss here, just trying to fully comprehend what United fans would be prepared to accept as the end result of their attempt to socialise their footy team. It sounds good in principle but in the hard-headed world of business and finance, such sentiment cuts no ice. I am sure the Glazers are only going to (would have to) sell to the highest bidder in order to pay down their debts.

But assume they cannot. Would United fans be prepared to see the cub go bust, say if the Glazers could not refinance, and for Man United to be disquailfied from the football league, and then for the suppporters to start again as a non-league side?

[redrus]

Thanks. I'm not taking the piss here, just trying to fully comprehend what United fans would be prepared to accept as the end result of their attempt to socialise their footy team. It sounds good in principle but in the hard-headed world of business and finance, such sentiment cuts no ice. I am sure the Glazers are only going to (would have to) sell to the highest bidder in order to pay down their debts.

But assume they cannot. Would United fans be prepared to see the cub go bust, say if the Glazers could not refinance, and for Man United to be disquailfied from the football league, and then for the suppporters to start again as a non-league side?

Whatever it takes, a good chunk of us have already decamped to FC United and we all agree that United is our one true love. " Two United's but the soul is one, as the Busby babes carry on" You can already hear at Old Trafford (or not hear) how many proper Reds no longer attend, it will get far worse if the current regime continues.

I personally believe that a buyer with sense will come forward and allow us a sensible path on which to move forward but, am prepared should the worst happen. There will always be a Manchester United but, it may take time before we can call it our own again.

redrus

[sharecropper]

In one way it is ironic - one massive Premiership team, and the one most likely to win it (in my unbiased opinion) is trying to get rid of their manager by fan power, and don't care that it may harm their club and its future in the process.

Meanwhile, at another (ex-)massive team, their inept and dangerous manager, who is actually in the process of destroying their team and the club, is supported by large sections of its fan base in doing so!

[redrus]

In one way it is ironic - one massive Premiership team, and the one most likely to win it (in my unbiased opinion) is trying to get rid of their manager by fan power, and don't care that it may harm their club and its future in the process.

This was a comment made by one man (Johnny Flack) at the MUST meeting in Manchester on Saturday, his comments are not those held by MUST (or me) and are the comments of one man only, now taken by the press and abracadabra....

A statement from MUST read:

"Contrary to reports today regarding Manchester United supporters calling for Sir Alex Ferguson to resign, MUST (the Manchester United Supporters Trust) wishes to put it on record that we believe the organisation and the vast majority of United supporters are 100% behind Sir Alex Ferguson. The only people we want to see leave Old Trafford are the Glazer family.

"All United supporters are entitled to voice their opinion but these comments were made by one individual at a meeting where it was made clear it was private and journalists were briefed that it was totally off the record to allow supporters to speak freely.

"We believe that all those journalists who attended the meeting respected this agreement but the story came from reports on internet message boards followed by a call direct to Mr Flacks rather than from the meeting itself.

"MUST does not believe that the views expressed represented a widespread view of those present and indeed another speaker who offered the counter point of view was given a loud round of applause in response.

"We believe Johnny Flacks and indeed every Manchester United supporter is absolutely entitled to express their views but it is important to distinguish individual views from those of organisations or those present at a meeting.

"We believe Manchester United has the best manager, the best players and the best supporters. It is only the owners that let our great club down. They should go before they do any more damage."

redrus

[redrus]

Glazers could take £130m out of Manchester United next year

• Small print in bond offer reveals shock provisions

• Owners able to get cut of money from player sales

Glazer family

The Manchester United owners Bryan Glazer, left, Avi Glazer, centre, and Joel Glazer hope to refinance the club's £500m debt with a bond issue.

The Glazer family, who own Manchester United, can take almost £130m cash out of the club next year alone if enough lenders sign up for the bond they have launched to borrow £500m for United.

Nestling in the small print of the 322-page bond prospectus are provisions allowing the Glazers to take £70m out of the club's cash reserves, which includes the money they have received from selling players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. The document also reserves for the Glazers the legal right to pay £25m out of the club in a dividend, and half of what is termed "consolidated net income". This is effectively the club's cash profits, which based on the most recent accounts would have meant £23m being paid out last year.

The bond's terms also note that the Glazers will have the right for £6m a year to be paid to companies they own "for administration and management services", and a further £3m "in respect of services provided by directors, officers or employees" of companies the Glazers use to hold their shares in United.

That money, added to the £70m and £25m one-off payments, plus the half of United's cash profit they can take out each year (equating to £23m last year), add up to £127m next year alone.

That huge figure is in addition to the straightforward payment of interest (yield) on the £500m the club will have borrowed via the bond, which at a mooted 9%, will be £45m. That will bring the total taken out of United to service the Glazers' borrowings, which were loaded on to the club after the family bought the club in 2005, to £172m next year alone.

It has become increasingly clear since the prospectus was launched last week that its principal purpose is to allow the Glazers to take cash out of United to reduce the amounts they owe in "payments in kind" to hedge funds, which are running at a punitive £14.25% interest. Standing at £175m in the year to 30 June, 2008, the "payments" accrued £25m interest in the year to 30 June, 2009, and so stand now at over £200m. That debt is secured on the United shares the Glazer family own, and it is clear their financial priority is to use United's giant turnover and profits to pay down that debt before the interest "rolls up" dramatically.

A calculation of the total cash which the bond would entail being paid out of United in dividend payments, the yield from the bond, management fees and the possible requirement for the club to lease the Carrington training ground, is more than £500m between next year and the maturity of the bond in 2017.

If the bond issue is fully taken up by lenders, it will mean that since the Glazer family bought United in May 2005 for £810m – £540m of it borrowed from banks and hedge funds – their takeover will have already cost United £340m in cash. That comprises £220m in bank interest plus "early-repayment premiums" made when the borrowings were first refinanced in August 2006. A further £120m will have been incurred in fees paid to bankers, lawyers and other professionals – the fees for this bond issue are noted as £15m – plus £35m incurred by the club's interest rate hedging arrangements.

On top of that, the "payments" have incurred interest payable of around £124m since the Glazers first borrowed the money to buy United.

A Glazer family spokesman, who also speaks for United on financial matters, declined to comment.

Nick Towle, chair of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: "It is a shocking picture. These are immense amounts of money being leaked out of United to pay banks, lawyers, the Glazers themselves and interest, to pay for a takeover none of the supporters, or the United board itself, wanted.

"United's success and profits could have been used to keep ticket prices affordable or invest in the team but instead we see this heartbreaking waste, just because one family ultimately hopes to make a profit from the club."

[1] GLAZERS OUT - GREEN & GOLD

[2] GLAZERS COULD TAKE £130m OUT OF MUFC NEXT YEAR ALONE .... AND £500m BY

2017!

[3] MUST CEO ON BBC RADIO4 "TODAY" PROGRAMME - 8.30AM

[4] CAMPAIGN FUNDS NEEDED

[1] GLAZERS OUT - GREEN & GOLD

Somebody* came up with this fantastic idea of wearing the old Newton Heath

colours of Green & Gold as a Glazers Out symbol.

This idea has been spreading like wildfire. If you'd like to get yourself a

scarf or flag (and MUST gets 10% commission) use the link below:

http://bit.ly/5upxQF

Click on Scarves and scroll down.

I'd imagine this shop is likely to sell out of stock fairly quickly so we

need some alternatives - ideally with affiliate links too

Yellow & Green Bar Scarf Price: £ 6.99

Yellow & Green Flag Price: £ 6.99

http://bit.ly/5upxQF

* The creator of the idea is said to be Chatmaster on RedIssue? Credit to

him even if he isn't exactly MUST's greatest fan.

redrus

[rixalex]

Nani?!

Why, oh why?

I Have slated nani before but i thought he did well yesterday a lot better than that waste of space park'

For a start nani has two good feet excellent crosser of the ball takes the man on and beats them,cut the lad some slack a good run in the team could do the lad the world of good.

Nani, excellent crosser of the ball???!!!

Don't know what to say to that Nev.

As for giving him a good run in the team, he's been given so many second, third, fourth chances to show us what he's capable of, and failed virtually every time. Enough <deleted>.

Fingers crossed for this evening guys. Channel 7, 3am i understand.

[Dustybin]

Best team lost.

Again no goal poacher for united.

Ref got city off the hook with a series of poor decisions.

A fair ref in second leg and united in final.

[rixalex]

Congrats to City for their part in an exciting game. Last 20 mins or so were pretty frantic.

No complaints about the ref. Sure, he made some mistakes, but on both sides and the result was fair enough. On to the second leg.

[rixalex]

O'Shea out for the season. Shame. Right now he'd be very useful.

[Sparkles]

Diouf bagged a hat trick this week playing reserves against Sunderland and Macheda played the last 20 minutes after being out for a long time. Need these boys to step up ASAP