WE'LL HAVE SOME OF WHAT HE'S BEEN TAKING

The Glazer family have hit back at continued criticism of their ownership of Manchester United by some sections of the Red Devils support.

This week's resignations of finance director Nick Humby and commercial counterpart Andy Anson have triggered another wave of attacks from the anti-Glazer brigade.

Although United chief executive David Gill has insisted there were no sinister motives behind the double departure, he did admit it was a 'strange' occurrence.

However, family sources claim the debt, the repayments of which were reduced to £62million per year in interest following negotiation of a refinancing package in July this year, is little more than a red herring and insist United remains a stable and attractive business.

“The debt issue is a red herring,” said a family spokesman.

“The club actually carried more debt as a PLC, it just did so in a different way because, effectively, shares are IOUs to shareholders.

“Manchester United is a stable asset, with a stable cash flow. The whole refinancing package was built around the optimism about the club going forward.

“Revenues are actually increasing because of the stadium expansion and new sponsorship deals, while there is also the windfall provided by the new TV contract to take into account.

“No-one could argue Manchester United is not worth more than it was 16 months ago. Maybe it was understandable there would be some concern when the takeover first took place but people now realise Malcolm Glazer is a responsible owner.

“The club is well run and well managed - and the cost of the debt has been brought down.

“Investors are clamouring to get involved because they see the attraction of what the Glazers bring to the party in the sports business and Manchester United brand. They are private people but they are passionate about the success of Manchester United.”

Elsewhere it's reported:

A significant number of Manchester United fans joined in an anti-Glazer demonstration at United's reserve match v Wigan at Hyde yesterday.

CES stewards more usually seen at Old Trafford were out in force and without any indication to suggest that this was likely to happen called in the GMP to help them "prevent a possible pitch invasion".

Prior to the arrival of the police, stewards were using a hurriedly constructed ground rule, that was actually designed to prevent dangerous weapons entering the ground, to force the demonstrators to take down banners with anti-Glazer messages on.

These banners were put back up again after the Police arrived and made the assessment that the protest was entirely peaceful and that these banners were not a danger to anyone.