In the midst of a planned protest at Old Trafford as the Red Devils get ready to play Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, former Manchester United custodian Tim Howard has controversially backed the club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family. In response to what they say is 20 years of the Glazers pushing them to the “brink of financial armageddon,” the fan group “The 1958” is holding a demonstration.
The demonstration, which will start at the Tollgate bar at 3pm and go down Talbot Road, Warwick Road, and Sir Matt Busby Way before stopping at the Trinity statue and continuing into the Munich Tunnel, is asking supporters to wear black to represent their club’s “slowly dying.” The team is now in 14th place and is headed for their worst Premier League season history.
Nearly a year has passed since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner, and he is also under fire from supporters who are worried about higher season ticket costs and 200 more staff layoffs. However, by defending the headless birds running the show at Old Trafford, Howard has stoked the flames and widened the divide between United’s devoted fans and the boardroom.
Tim Howard Launches Surprising Defence of Glazers’ Family
He claimed they have the right to ‘run the club in any way they want’
Prior to joining Everton in 2007, Howard made 77 appearances over four years with Manchester United, winning both the FA Cup and the League Cup. He did not, however, share the fanbase’s views on those upstairs throughout his time at M16. The 46-year-old was ready to defend the Glazers in a recent sit-down interview with BeIN Sports. Watch the interview below to hear what he said:
“The football team, which is a business, is owned by the Glazers. You have the freedom to manage a corporation however you see fit after spending billions to acquire it.
🗣️ "The Glazers own the football club, and that in turn is a business. When you spend your billions to own a business, you have the right to run it in any way you want…"
Former @ManUtd goalkeeper Tim Howard on the Glazers ownership.
👉 https://t.co/ma6ywL6nZX pic.twitter.com/syRwYaLGRj
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) March 5, 2025
Howard admitted that perhaps the money being spent at Man United hasn’t always been spent wisely, but he went one step further and said that he doesn’t think the owners should be held responsible for that. As a result, he has encountered online criticism from his former followers in all directions.
Howard’s Comments Spark Heavy Backlash
The retired shot-stopper has been encouraged to do some research
“Factually incorrect and disrespectful, Tim,” responds Andy Mittens, founder of United We Stand. “No billions of dollars were used. Through a contentious and heavily leveraged buyout, they took over one of the largest sports organisations in the world, burdening the club with debt. Not even some of the participants support what transpired.
🗣️ "The Glazers own the football club, and that in turn is a business. When you spend your billions to own a business, you have the right to run it in any way you want…"
Former @ManUtd goalkeeper Tim Howard on the Glazers ownership.
👉 https://t.co/ma6ywL6nZX pic.twitter.com/syRwYaLGRj
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) March 5, 2025
“They took out a loan to buy the club and then saddled that debt onto the club,” continued a second comment. “They didn’t spend billions.” Why are you interviewing a former goalie on a topic he is completely ignorant of? A third, meanwhile, said: “He just doesn’t understand it for a man who played for the club. He also had no desire to conduct even the most basic study. Although he has the right to an opinion, this is just untrue.
The fourth criticism, which came to the conclusion that “English football clubs are community assets, not franchises which are investment vehicles like in America,” put American sports values in the fire line. United cannot be transplanted to Lowestoft. Additionally, he ought to make the story of whose money is being spent better. This is disappointing on Tim’s part.
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