Petition to the UK Parliament under the Football Governance Bill: Support the Removal of Glazer Ownership of Manchester United

To the Honourable Members of Parliament,

We, the undersigned, are devoted supporters of Manchester United Football Club and concerned citizens who passionately believe in the principles outlined in the Historic Football Governance Bill introduced in Parliament on 24 October 2024. This landmark legislation seeks to safeguard the future of football clubs by ensuring financial sustainability, protecting their cultural heritage, and placing fans at the heart of governance decisions. Under the provisions and spirit of this bill, we urgently call for regulatory intervention to address the detrimental ownership of Manchester United by the Glazer family and to support their removal as majority shareholders.
Background and Rationale

Since the Glazer family’s leveraged buyout of Manchester United in 2005, the club has been burdened with significant financial distress, undermining its long-term sustainability and the trust of its global fanbase. The acquisition, costing approximately £790 million, was financed largely through loans secured against the club’s own assets, loading Manchester United—previously a debt-free institution—with over £550 million in debt overnight. To date, the club has spent over £1 billion servicing this debt, including £37 million in interest payments in the last financial year alone, while the total debt, including outstanding transfer fees, exceeds £1 billion. 
 
This financial mismanagement has restricted the club’s ability to compete at the highest levels, invest in infrastructure, and maintain affordable ticket prices for fans. The Glazers have extracted significant sums through dividend payments, totalling approximately £166 million since 2005, a practice unique among Premier League clubs and one that prioritizes personal profit over the club’s welfare. Recent actions, including ticket price increases to £66 and staff redundancies totalling up to 450, further demonstrate a disregard for the club’s community and cultural significance. 
 
The Football Governance Bill emphasizes the importance of clubs to their fans and communities, stating that “free market doesn’t account for the importance of clubs to their fans and communities, seeing fans harmed by clubs collapsing.” Manchester United, a cornerstone of English football’s heritage, is at risk of long-term decline under the Glazers’ stewardship, which has been marked by consistent losses, a lack of accountability, and a failure to engage meaningfully with supporters. Fan protests, including significant demonstrations in 2021, 2022, and most recently on 9 March 2025, reflect widespread discontent with the Glazers’ ownership and their handling of the club. 
 
Our Demands
Under the powers proposed in the Football Governance Bill, particularly those enabling the Independent Football Regulator to intervene in cases of financial mismanagement and to enforce ownership standards, we respectfully request the following:

Investigation into the Glazer Ownership: We urge the Independent Football Regulator to conduct a thorough review of the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United, focusing on the financial sustainability of the club. This should include an assessment of the leveraged buyout’s impact, the ongoing debt burden, and the extraction of dividends, which have collectively weakened the club’s financial position.

Enforcement of Ownership Standards: The bill’s proposed tests for prospective and existing owners must be applied rigorously to the Glazers. Their track record of loading debt onto the club and prioritizing personal financial gain over the club’s welfare raises serious questions about their suitability as custodians of Manchester United. We call for the regulator to evaluate whether the Glazers meet the “fit and proper” ownership criteria, as outlined in the bill’s governance framework.

Support for Fan-Led Ownership Models: The Football Governance Bill underscores the importance of fan involvement in club governance. We advocate for the regulator to explore mechanisms to facilitate a transition toward greater fan ownership, such as the 50+1 rule championed in Germany, which ensures fans hold a majority stake. A petition in 2021 for this model garnered over 100,000 signatures, demonstrating significant public support. We believe such a model could restore Manchester United to its community and protect its cultural heritage. 

Mandate for Divestment if Necessary: Should the regulator find the Glazers’ ownership incompatible with the bill’s objectives, we request that the Independent Football Regulator mandate the divestment of their majority stake. This could involve compelling the Glazers to sell their Class B shares, which grant them disproportionate control, to parties committed to the club’s long-term sustainability and fan-centric governance. 
 
Why This Matters

Manchester United is more than a football club; it is a cultural institution that unites millions worldwide and holds deep significance for the communities of Greater Manchester. The Glazers’ ownership has eroded this legacy, transforming a once debt-free global powerhouse into a financially strained entity struggling to maintain its competitive edge. The Football Governance Bill provides a historic opportunity to address these wrongs, ensuring that clubs like Manchester United are protected from exploitative ownership and restored to their rightful place as community assets.
We, the supporters, have protested for two decades, from the green-and-gold scarf campaign to the formation of FC United of Manchester and the mass demonstrations of 2025. Our voices, echoed by groups like The 1958 and the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, demand change. The bill’s commitment to “safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans” aligns with our vision for a Manchester United free from the Glazers’ detrimental influence. 
 
Conclusion
We respectfully urge Parliament and the Independent Football Regulator to act decisively under the Football Governance Bill to address the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United. By investigating their financial practices, enforcing stringent ownership standards, and supporting fan-led initiatives, the regulator can help restore Manchester United to its fans and secure its future as a sustainable, community-driven institution. The time for change is now—let us reclaim our club.
Sign this petition to support Manchester United in achieving governance that aligns with its illustrious history and passionate fanbase.