Glazers are 'holding Manchester United and its fans hostage', blasts MUST statement as supporters group slam takeover 'CHARADE' with protests planned for season opener against Wolves
- Man United will take on Wolves on Monday in the opening game of their season
- A United supporters group accused the Glazers of holding the club hostage
- Watch the first full episode of Mail Sport's podcast 'It's All Kicking Off' here
The Manchester United Supporters Trust have accused the Glazer family of holding the club hostage and challenged the owners to sell up or end the ‘charade’ of a takeover.
United kick off the season against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night with fresh protests planned over the Glazers’ refusal to accept offers in excess of £5billion from Sheik Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and British tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The fans group issued a statement on Sunday warning that fans are ready to vent their frustration over the lack of progress since a strategic review was launched in November.
A spokesman said: ‘As time goes on this feels less like a sale process and more like the Glazer family is holding Manchester United and its fans hostage.
‘The united message of fans is clear: sell the club. And if they do not intend to do so, at least have the courage to say that and explain what the charade of the last nine months has been about.
![A Man United supporters group has accused the Glazer family of holding the club hostage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/13/21/74274321-12402873-image-a-55_1691959813241.jpg)
A Man United supporters group has accused the Glazer family of holding the club hostage
![It comes amid their ongoing takeover saga which is still yet to be completed, with the family refusing to accept offers in excess of £5billion from the two main interested parties](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/13/21/74274323-12402873-image-a-56_1691959860969.jpg)
It comes amid their ongoing takeover saga which is still yet to be completed, with the family refusing to accept offers in excess of £5billion from the two main interested parties
![Erik ten Hag's side are preparing to play their first game of the season against Wolves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/13/21/74274515-12402873-image-a-69_1691960163416.jpg)
Erik ten Hag's side are preparing to play their first game of the season against Wolves
‘On the pitch, there is clear progress at United and the whole fanbase is behind Erik ten Hag and the team.
‘But off it, the discontent about the ownership and the sale process has not gone away and will only escalate now the new season has arrived.’
A separate demonstration has been planned by a women’s protest group over the possibility of United bringing Mason Greenwood back into the fold after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges of attempted rape and assault against the 21-year-old in February.
The discord has created an unwanted distraction for Ten Hag who also faced questions over Harry Maguire’s future at the club after United accepted a bid of £30million from West Ham.
Maguire, who has been stripped of the captaincy by his manager, will have to accept a reduction on his £190,000-a-week salary and has yet to agree personal terms.
Ten Hag has not ruled out the prospect of Maguire staying to battle for a first-team spot.
‘He has to fight for his place,’ said the United boss. ‘He has the ability to be a top-class centre back and he is the best for England, so why shouldn’t he be the best for us but he has to prove it.
‘When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go. He has to make a decision but I’m happy with him.’
Wolves start the season just five days after replacing manager Julen Lopetegui with former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, having sold nearly £100m-worth of talent over the summer to meet financial fair play requirements.
![Gary O'Neil has replaced Julen Lopetegui as the new Wolves manager going into the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/13/21/74274421-12402873-image-a-58_1691959948687.jpg)
Gary O'Neil has replaced Julen Lopetegui as the new Wolves manager going into the game
However, some of the club’s fondest memories since returning to the Premier League were made at Old Trafford where they secured a memorable win in January 2022 and twice left with draws.
‘I have a point to prove every day,’ said O’Neil, who was sacked by Bournemouth in June.
‘That was how I approached my playing career, that’s how I approach my coaching career, and it’s how I’ll feel between now and the moment I retire.’
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