Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer was invited into the dressing room following Sunday’s Carabao Cup win over Newcastle at Wembley.
It was the first time that any of the Glazers have attended a United game since a November statement confirming their desire to explore ‘strategic alternatives’ – including a takeover.
Indeed, the last time Avram, who sold class ‘A’ shares in United worth £70m in 2021, personally attended a game was back in August for the Premier League opening day defeat to Brighton.
Avram along with brother Joel are the two Glazer family members most involved with United, although it has typically been Joel over the years who has had most to do with the club – albeit still from a great distance at his base in Florida.
Although always unpopular with United fans since a controversial leveraged buyout takeover in 2005, the Glazers have come under increasing pressure over the last couple of years. Ongoing discontent was sparked by the 2021 European Super League scandal and hasn’t faded.
There were anti-Glazer chants at Wembley right before United were presented with the trophy, while Avram was booed by fans when he was shown on the big screen.
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Erik ten Hag has revealed he ‘really wanted’ the American to be a part of the post-match celebrations, insisting it was good to show he remains committed to the club.
"He was really happy, really happy for the club, as an owner,” Ten Hag explained.
“So I really wanted [him] to be part of it. He was in the dressing room, very good, he was there to show his intentions.”
But Ten Hag reiterated that he cannot say what any of it means regarding the ongoing takeover, for which confirmed bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani are submitted.
“I think the way that he is here shows you feel that he is committed about the process. About what he wants is not for me [to comment on]. I have to perform this team, this dressing room and others at the club are involved in the decisions about ownership,” the United manager said.