THE POWERS THAT BE ARE TAKEN IN BY THE GLAZERS

Last updated : 30 June 2005 By Ed

Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League:

"I am pleased to report that there is a great deal of common ground between us. Crucially, on the matter of collective selling of our television rights, we have received an unequivocal commitment to continue on the current basis.

"There was an open exchange where they detailed their motives and aspirations for the club and we shared our strategic objectives for the Premier League.

"I am pleased to report that there is a great deal of common ground between us. Since the formation of the Premier League, Manchester United FC has played a key role in shaping its fortunes and I am confident the club and its new owners are committed to continuing this."

FA head Brian Barwick:

"This was the first opportunity we have had to meet with the new owners of Manchester United and we are pleased to have been able to sit down with them.

"It's important that the FA understands the objectives and future plans they have for a club of the stature of United.

"We enjoyed a very constructive meeting in which the Manchester United officials addressed the many important questions we had to ask them."

Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport, told the Press Association:

"I asked them directly and they said they had no intention of going away from collective selling of Premier League TV rights so I was reassured by that.

"They were also happy with the way the game was run and said that in their view the Premier League was the best league in the world.

"There has been a considerable amount of concern among organised fans groups and our discussion reflected that.

"But there is no shortage of enthusiasm for the task ahead. In Government we need to harness the power of football, help in our work on the social inclusion agenda and I am delighted with the positive response the directors gave.

"I welcome the fact that the directors have been open with the football authorities and the Government about their plans."

Joel Glazer:

"We have had some really positive meetings.

"We are delighted to have met the game’s leading administrators and the Sports Minister so early in our time at United and we are grateful to them all for making the time to see us.

"There’s been a lot in the UK pres about us in the last 18 months and this has been an invaluable chance to tell the men who run the game what the truth is.

"I hope they are reassured by our experience in sport and our passion to keep Manchester United successful."