Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer is still actively involved in the club’s transfer business – despite having not stepped foot at Old Trafford for over half a decade.
The unpopular Glazer family have been at the helm of United since taking ownership in 2005, with six siblings sitting on the board.
Joel, along with his brother Avram, became the most involved in the day-to-day running of the club, but it was expected that the pair would take more of a backseat when Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of the club’s football operations with his 27.7 per cent minority stake last term.
However, Glazer remains at the heart of United’s transfer business according to the Manchester Evening News, who claim that nothing has changed behind the scenes.
Glazer has been active throughout the January transfer window and reportedly retains the right to sign off and veto deals.
This is despite the fact Glazer has been all but absent from Old Trafford for almost six years, having not been seen at a Manchester United home game since their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona in 2019.
Joel Glazer has been at the helm of Manchester United since his family took ownership in 2005
Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of the club’s football operations with his 27.7 per cent minority stake last season, but has got off to a very turbulent start at Old Trafford
Avram, on the other hand, has been a much more prominent figure in the stands, having been in attendance for both of the men’s and women’s FA Cup final triumphs last season, while also being seen at Old Trafford on a number of occasions.
The two brothers are still co-chairmen of the club and are said to have been ‘more hands on’ during the club’s negotiations in the winter transfer window.
United have yet to bring any new recruits through the door as the February 3 deadline fast approaches. That said, they are on the verge of signing Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, with the Dane set to undergo a medical ahead of the move.
Fans will hope Dorgu’s acquisition will finally satisfy Ruben Amorim’s craving for a left wing-back that can fit into his 3-4-3 system – a step in the right direction from the ownership who look to get supporters back onside.
Ratcliffe’s approval ratings are at their lowest as he and the INEOS faction approach their one year anniversary at United. An early tenure that has been characterised by repeated errors, the club have been rocked by turbulence on and off the pitch.
The club’s decision to give Erik ten Hag a contract extension in the summer quickly proved to be ill-advised, with the Dutchman sacked and replaced by Amorim just five months later.
Inaugural sporting director Dan Ashworth then followed him out of the door – an embarrassing outcome for Ratcliffe, who had billed him as one of the world’s best in his role before United invested over £200million in players over the summer transfer window.
Ratcliffe then embarked on a flurry of cost-cutting measures, with staff morale plummeting as 250 jobs were cut last year.
Erik ten Hag was given a contract extension just five months before he was sacked as boss
Bad sentiment among matchgoers was then exacerbated as their team’s dire form was met with a hefty mid-season ticket price rise to £66.
United currently sit 12th in the Premier League with just 29 points after 23 games, but will hope they have turned a corner under Amorim after five wins in their last six in all competitions.
