IMUSA QUESTION SIR BOBBY

Last updated : 01 July 2005 By Editor
IMUSA chairman Mark Longden has questioned Sir Bobby Charlton's decision to apologise to the Glazer family for the protests which marked their arrival at Old Trafford. He also believes that they aren't showing their true colours.

"The fans have not done anything to apologise for," said Longden.

"All they are doing is defending the club. I respect Sir Bobby Charlton's opinion over the future but I would have to question whether he has asked the right questions.

"The Glazers say things are going to continue as normal. If that is so, I would like them to explain how they intend to pay off £500million-worth of debt on profits of £19million.

"You do not need to be a financial expert to realise something big has to happen - and I don't think we will be waiting two years for it. Then the fears we have expressed over Glazer will be realised."

He continued

"I am shocked and dismayed that the likes of David Gill and Nick Humby are showing the Glazers round the stadium, smiling and laughing when a couple of months ago they were claiming the business plan was totally unworkable," Longden said.

"I have had a lot of people phone me up over the last 24 hours who felt really angry at seeing the Glazers walk round a stadium which is part of our heritage which they now own. That resentment is not just going to disappear.

"This battle may have been won but the war is far from over.

"Over 90% of Manchester United supporters have said they are against this takeover.

"It would be fair to say around 25% of those are determined to maintain the fight, while the rest are in a 'wait and see' camp. Once the Glazer's true intentions become known, I am confident most of them will look at the situation as we do."