Former Man Utd figure slams ‘shocking’ Glazers for ‘worst case of bullying’

Avram Glazer, Joel Glazer Man Utd owners

Former Manchester United official Nicky Butt has labelled breakaway plans for a European Super League as the “worst case of bullying”.

Officials from 12 clubs across Europe, including six in the Premier League, announced their controversial intentions on Sunday. However, the idea crumbled within 48 hours after vehement criticism. Chelsea’s team bus struggled to get to Stamford Bridge for Tuesday’s clash with Brighton amid fan protests.

As such, the Blues became the first club to drop out. Manchester City quickly followed, before Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Tottenham all backed down.

As pointed out by Graeme Souness, talks likely began some time ago between the top figures at the clubs.

United’s owners, the Glazer family, played a key role. Indeed, Joel Glazer and Liverpool’s principal owner, John W Henry, became vice-chairman of the quickly-deceased competition.

Henry has now apologised for the “disruption” he caused, but former United head of first-team development Butt feels an apology from Red Devils chiefs is “irrelevant”.


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“I don’t think an apology is too great anyway if I’m honest,” he told Sky Sports News when asked about hearing back from his former club’s officials. “I think what happened should never have happened.

“What happened is the worst case of bullying in my opinion, from powerful people, so whether they apologise or not is irrelevant to me really.”

April 21 Transfer Chatter: Bellerin set for PSG

April 21 Transfer Chatter: Bellerin set for PSG

Hector Bellerin is edging towards a summer move to Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal fancy signing Samuele Ricci and Tottenham have reportedly made an approach for Maurizio Sarri.

Asked if it will take time for club owners to regain the trust of their supporters, Butt added: “A hell of a long time and I don’t see how it’s possible.

“It’s difficult to regain someone’s trust after going behind people’s back for so long.

“It’s going to be difficult, I don’t know how they do it.”

Owners handed fan reality check

Man Utd fans banner

Butt added that if the importance of fans has been lost this season, this escapade has proved their worth to the sport around the world.

“I think that’s how some of these businessmen work, they work in the shadows if you like and they do what they think is right but I think the shocking thing is they can’t have empathy for the fan that makes this sport so great,” he said.

“Without the fans, the sport is nothing, and to not be on board with what I think the fans want is, that’s the alarming thing for me.


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“So it’s a lesson to people who come into the country and come into powerful football clubs and think that they can do whatever they want because they are owners and they are very, very wealthy.

“Over the last few hours in this country it has proved not to be the case.”

In the midst of Tuesday evening’s chaos, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward resigned from his post, but he will remain in the role until the end of the year.

READ MORE: Woodward breaks silence on Man Utd exit and praises three players