Glazers hold Manchester United and its fans hostage, blasts MUST statement as supporters group takeover ‘CHARADE’ slam with protests planned for season opener against Wolves

The Manchester United Supporters Trust has accused the Glazer family of holding the club hostage and has challenged the owners to sell or end the ‘charade’ of a takeover.

United kick off the season against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night with new protests planned over the Glazers’ refusal to accept offers in excess of £5bn from Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The fans group warned in a statement on Sunday that fans are willing to express their frustration at the lack of progress since the launch of a strategic review in November.

A spokesman said: ‘As time goes on, this feels less like a sales process and more like the Glazer family is holding Manchester United and its fans hostage.

The collective message from fans is clear: sell the club. And if they don’t intend to, at least have the courage to say so and explain what the charade of the past nine months was all about.

“On the pitch there is clear progress at United and the entire fanbase is behind Erik ten Hag and the team.

“But apart from that, the dissatisfaction with the ownership and the sales process has not subsided and will only escalate now that the new season has arrived.”

A separate demonstration is planned by a women’s protest group over the possibility of United bringing Mason Greenwood back into the fold after the prosecution dropped charges of attempted rape and assault against the 21-year-old in February.

The altercation created an unwanted distraction for Ten Hag, who also faced questions about Harry Maguire’s future at the club after United accepted a £30 million offer from West Ham.

Maguire, who has been relieved of the captaincy by his manager, will have to accept a reduction in his salary of £190,000 a week and has yet to agree personal terms.

Ten Hag does not rule out Maguire staying to fight for a place in the first team.

“He has to fight for his place,” said the United boss. “He’s got the ability to be a top class central defender and he’s the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us but he has to prove it.

“If he doesn’t have enough confidence to fight, he has to go. He has to make a decision, but I’m happy with him.’

Wolves start the season just five days after replacing manager Julen Lopetegui with former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil after selling nearly £100m worth of talent last summer to meet financial fair play requirements.

However, some of the club’s fondest memories since returning to the Premier League were made at Old Trafford, where they scored a memorable win in January 2022 and went away with a draw twice.

“I have something to prove every day,” said O’Neil, who was sacked by Bournemouth in June.

“That’s how I approach my playing career, that’s how I approach my coaching career, and that’s how I will feel between now and when I retire.”