Manchester United fear another backlash from fans over the Glazer family’s refusal to sell the club to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United are already facing a storm over plans to end Mason Greenwood’s 18-month suspension, although the club insist that a final decision has not been made.
Supporters protested against Greenwood’s return outside Old Trafford before Monday’s opening game against Wolves, and many more staged a separate anti-Glazer demonstration.
It followed a warning from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust that protests against the American owners will escalate if they don’t sell up after raising fans’ hopes by launching a strategic review nine months ago.
United fear a repeat of the angry scenes that led to the postponement of their game against Liverpool in May 2021 when protesters broke into Old Trafford following the collapse of the European Super League.
Manchester United supporters have regularly protested against the Glazer family ownership
The Glazers have had two offers to sell the club but have so far stalled on making a decision
Fans also tried to sabotage the team bus when the match was replayed, and heightened security was one of the reasons United have built a new players’ lounge at Old Trafford so the squad can be in the stadium earlier on match days.
Manager Erik ten Hag insisted ahead of Saturday evening’s game at Tottenham that the team will not be distracted by the controversy surrounding the protracted takeover or Greenwood’s future.
‘No, we focus on the way of playing,’ said the United manager. ‘We focus on the team performance. It is about the players who are available so we focus on Tottenham.’
Meanwhile, a leading sports lawyer has claimed that United do have grounds to sack Greenwood.
The club issued a statement earlier this week saying that the matter remains the subject of ‘intense internal deliberation’. However, it’s understood that United don’t believe they have grounds to terminate the remaining two years of Greenwood’s contract because he has not been found guilty of any crime.
United said they feel a responsibility ‘to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner’. Sources also point out that evidence not currently in the public domain means that it is far from a clear-cut decision to make.
However Joseph Lappin, a partner and head of employment at law firm Stewarts, believes the pictures and recordings that emerged on social media in January last year and led to Greenwood’s suspension are sufficient to sack him.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) and Qatari Sheikh Jassim (right) are the two front-runners in the race and have submitted bids in excess of £5billion – but no decision as of yet
A leading sports lawyer has claimed that United do have grounds to sack Mason Greenwood
‘It is my view that United can dismiss Greenwood lawfully,’ said Lappin. ‘The board will have seen the photographs and heard the audio recordings released on social media.
‘On the basis of the information in the public domain, it seems to me that the club might have formed a reasonable belief that Greenwood has committed a serious criminal offence, even if he has not been convicted of one. The club owes a duty to protect the health and safety of its staff, including everyone working at the club’s training ground.
‘From a football perspective, reintegrating Greenwood into the playing squad makes sense. He is an exciting young striker and had been selected to play for England.
‘However, if Greenwood does return (and that now seems likely) a public backlash is inevitable. The photographs and recordings cannot be unseen or unheard.
‘Many Manchester United fans protested against the possibility of Greenwood’s return before the team’s first Premier League game of the season. Domestic abuse charities, some of the club’s sponsors and many members of staff will be outraged if Greenwood returns.
‘Parents will be worried what message the club will send to its young supporters. Erik Ten Hag is also likely to face endless questions at press conferences about the club’s principles if Greenwood returns.’