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<\/div>\nThe Manchester United fans\u2019 group leading the current protests against the Glazer family\u2019s ownership of the club says any continued long-term involvement by the Americans at Old Trafford would leave \u201ca bitter taste\u201d.<\/p>\n
Negotiations around the potential sale of Manchester United are still taking place, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani submitting a fifth bid for 100% of the club last month.<\/p>\n
Rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s Ineos Group is willing to secure a majority stake, which would allow current owners the Glazer family to retain representation in some capacity.<\/p>\n
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The 1958 Group is the fan organisation that arranged a number of \u2018strategic\u2019 protests against the Glazers at matches last season, including the EFL Cup final and FA Cup final. This summer, it\u00a0held another at Old Trafford\u00a0to coincide with United\u2019s kit launch.<\/p>\n
Two leading members spoke to BBC Sport on the condition of anonymity, refusing to be named, they say, to stop their message being diluted.<\/p>\n
Among their views were that some fans would be \u201chappy\u201d to see the club relegated from the Premier League if it meant a change of ownership, with concerns the takeover process could drag on throughout the coming 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n
BBC Sport approached Manchester United and the Glazer family for comment. They have previously not commented on the specific protests, but said they \u201crespect the right of fans to voice their opinions peacefully\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u2018Generational damage\u2019 done by Glazers<\/strong><\/p>\n Two members of the group spoke to the BBC podcast \u2018How To Buy A Football Club\u2019 to talk about their methods, which they are adamant are peaceful, and what will lead to an end to their campaign for change at the club.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fanbase is big and fractured,\u201d they told BBC Sport. \u201cLots of people have lots of opinions. The minute someone puts their head above the parapet, you will be judged.<\/p>\n \u201cThis family have inflicted untold damage, generational damage, on our club. It is personal and real to us. It is community. It is family.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of United fans would happily see United go down if it meant that the Glazer family left. Look at what happened when the Glazers came in \u2013\u00a0some fans went on to form another club.\u00a0That is the strength of feeling.<\/p>\n \u201cFans of other clubs might say we are spoiled but they wouldn\u2019t like the Glazers running their club.\u201d<\/p>\n The 1958 Group says it is \u201cnot surprised at the length of time\u201d it is taking for the Glazers to reach a conclusion about the \u2018strategic review\u2019 they\u00a0launched in November.<\/p>\n In addition to the Qatari and Ineos bids, a number of investment companies have offered funding in exchange for a minority stake.<\/p>\n The Raine Group are handling the sale process, which it had initially been thought would be concluded by the end of last season.<\/p>\n All parties are still waiting for a decision and say they have been given no guidance about when one will come.<\/p>\n Co-chair Avi Glazer in particular has been visible around United in recent times, including watching\u00a0the recent friendly with Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium,\u00a0after which he refused to answer questions about the takeover.<\/p>\n The 1958 representatives told BBC Sport: \u201cLook at the length of time it took for\u00a0Newcastle to go through.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was \u00a3300m and Mike Ashley wanted to sell. That took 18 months. This is possibly a \u00a36bn takeover and you have got six Glazer siblings to please. [So far] it is eight months. It is frustrating \u2013 but it could be a year. It could be 18 months.\u201d<\/p>\n The 1958 Group has not objected to any of the potential new owners, with \u2018sportswashing\u2019 and \u2018greenwashing\u2019 concerns raised by campaign groups, saying it \u201ccannot question what a potential new ownership is now, without actually knowing what the new ownership is\u201d.<\/p>\n The Glazers purchased United in a controversial \u00a3790m leveraged buyout in May 2005. The club has since spent more than \u00a31bn on interest and loan payments, plus share dividends \u2013 the majority of which have gone to the American family.<\/p>\n But United have a net spend of 1.36bn euros (\u00a31.18bn) on transfers under the Glazers, with only Manchester City having a higher figure in that period.<\/p>\n However, the 1958 Group is dismissive of that massive transfer spend, saying that the players were bought \u201cby the club\u2019s own money\u201d.<\/p>\n It added: \u201cIf there is any involvement for the Glazers, in any minority, we will still push to get them out.<\/p>\n \u201cBut people have spent a lifetime protesting against this ownership. It would leave a bitter taste in the mouth to still have them there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n