Wayne Rooney delivers verdits on “successful” Glazers amid Manchester United sale problems

The relationship between Manchester United fans and the club’s owners, the Glazer family, has hit rock bottom in recent months – but not like the relationship was ever positive.

Ever since the Glazer family bought Manchester United for £790 million in 2005, they have been the No. 1 public enemy for fans across the globe.

Despite the club seeing initial success under their ownership in the form of five Premier League trophies, five League Cup trophies, a Champions League, a Europa League, and an FA Cup, the owners have plunged United into massive amounts of debt and the last decade as seen a severe deterioration of the club’s image.

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Another aspect of the club’s esteemed history that has not seen much attention is the youth team, with a lack of progress in their facilities and a winning mindset – “over the past 10 years they’ve come away from that a bit,” Wayne Rooney told to David Ornstein.

Talking further about the Glazers, Rooney said: “They have been very successful, but it has probably got to a place where the fans really want a change. They want to maybe go in a different direction.

“It needs that excitement back, not just for the first team but to develop the academy and behind the scenes.

“I’m sure they will get the credit they deserve for the job they have done, but also they’re going to get the negativity from fans who never seem to acknowledge what they’ve done for the club.

“I’m sure it will be split, but I think a change is needed.”

There has been many difficulties surrounding the United sale process, with one bidder – Qatari Shiekh Jassim – reportedly growing frustrated with how long the process is taking.

It is said that the Glazer family may not sell, with Joel and Avram both reluctant to let go of their shares entirely, much to the annoyance of many fans globally.

However, one decision that the Glazer family have made that has seen nothing but positive results is the appointment of Erik ten Hag and the subsequent improvements that the Duch manager has made to the club since he joined in May 2022.

“There were huge improvements,” Rooney said. “Some really good signings and some good experienced players who helped the team.

“They’re competing with one of the best teams, probably, of all time in Man City. United are trying to get back challenging for the league title and I do believe they’re on the right path. There is a lot of work to be done but they are taking the right steps to do it.”