Manchester United have made a dividend payment to the Glazer Family who are the owners of the club but the supporters are not happy with the decision.
According to the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), the payment is “indefensible”.
The majority of the $11 million payouts handed to shareholders on Friday is expected to go to the Glazers, including executive co-chairmen Joel and Avram. This payment is coming after the end of a terrible 2021/22 campaign in which United missed out on Champions League qualification and finished sixth in the Premier League.
Despite committing to support new manager Erik ten Hag, the club has not yet made a signing this summer.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has deemed the decision “absolutely unacceptable.” The payout is the most recent in a succession of dividends taken by shareholders, of which the Glazers hold the majority.
A statement issued by MUST on Friday read: “Today the Glazers pay themselves the lion’s share of an £11m dividend at the end of one of the worst seasons in living memory.
“Reward for failure is poor practice in any business, and totally unacceptable given the current state of things at United.
“MUST is advocating and pursuing a strategy of engagement with the club and its owners, to get a stronger voice for fans, but this payment is indefensible.
“We will be making this point, and demanding answers, in our direct meetings as well as through our representatives on the fans’ advisory board and fans’ forum.”
Manchester United supporters are getting frustrated by their club’s slow business in the current summer transfer window after seeing rivals Liverpool and neighbors Manchester City make top signings at the early stage of the transfer window.
Liverpool has announced the signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica and Manchester City has landed Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Manchester United are yet to win a trophy since 2017 and this has created a belief that the English Premier League giants have already fallen further behind the top two in the Premier League.
The Red Devils ended last season with 35 points behind their closest neighbor Manchester City. Gary Neville, a former United defender, and current Sky Sports analyst, has urged the Glazers to stop paying dividends for three years and invest the money in the club’s playing staff and facilities.
“The Glazer Family should not be taking £11m in dividends this Friday,” Neville tweeted. “It isn’t right with the investment needed in the team, stadium, and training ground.
“The club’s cash position is low compared to previous years. An announcement is needed to halt it for the next three years minimum.”
