The Glazer family have hit a landmark many Manchester United supporters hoped would never come. The American billionaires have now been in charge of the Premier League giants for 20 years - and it's been a .
Although Joel and Avram Glazer have been the most prominent members of the family who bought United in 2005 for £790million, it was Malcom Glazer who oversaw the deal. The ride has been rocky almost ever since, with against what they see as absentee owners who are only interested in bleeding the club of its money.
The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team last year has done little to change the opinion of most United fans. But while in exchange for £1.3bn, the Glazers, who also own franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have remained unbowed in their decision to stay involved at United.
They have now reached 20 years at the helm of one of the world's most famous sporting institutions. To mark the occasion, has taken a look over the most notable moments of their reign.
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May 2005 – The Glazers become majority owners of UnitedThe Glazers buy out Irish shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus to control 57 percent of the club and become majority stakeholders. Days later, they increased their stake to 75 percent.
June 2005 – The Glazers takeover of United is ratifiedUnited is delisted by the Glazers following their takeover, with the club plunged into debt of around £700m, leading to the first major protests from fans. Joel, Bryan and Avram Glazer visit Old Trafford and are forced to leave in the back of a police van to avoid a baying mob of fans.
United fans start wearing green and gold scarves, produced by the Supporters’ Trust (MUST) during the League Cup final win over . The scarves, displaying the colours of Newton Heath, the club formed in 1878 which became United in 1902, become an instantly-recognisable anti-Glazer symbol.
United sell Cristinao Ronaldo to for a record fee of £80m, but even that cannot stop the club's debt rising from £660m £716m, while a refinancing of that debt, incurring greater interest, sparks more protests from militant fans.
United starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange, with the Glazers making £75m by selling a significant chunk of their shares.
May 2014 - Malcolm Glazer diesMalcolm Glazer, who never once visited Old Trafford, dies aged 85. The Glazer family sell a further portion of their shareholding, making them £129m, and reiterate their stance of not selling the club for at least five years.
The Glazer family continues to make personal profit from United, selling another chunk of shares that makes them £56.85m, with none of that money being ploughed back into the club.
Driven by Joel Glazer, United are one of the leaders behind the breakaway European Super League, but fans reacted furiously to the proposal, storming Old Trafford to force the postponement of their game against in May. The backlash sees United pull out of the proposal.
United fans opposed to the Glazers react with delight when the family announces it is “commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives”, suggesting an end to their toxic 17-year spell in charge.
February 2023: Bids launched to buy UnitedINEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and millionaire bid to buy United. Ratcliffe is ultimately successful, acquiring a quarter share of the club, after Sheikh Jassim withdraws his bid.
Ratcliffe purchases a 25 percent stake in United and gains control of football operations at the club under the terms of his acquisition.
February 2025 – Falling revenues follow mass job cuts at UnitedUnited's revenue drops to £198.7m for the final three months of 2024, down from £225.8m for the same period the previous year, with the club debt £731m, as well as owing more than £300m in transfer fees. The figures come on the back of United making 250 staff redundant, with up to 200 more job losses planned.
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