When the details about the latest version of the Glazers IPO came out earlier this week, one part that struck United fans was the plan to issue 16m shares (about £288 million) to Manchester United Senior Management under a “2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan”. It was widely assumed that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would be included as part of the senior management group that benefited from this.
Well that seems not to be the case as SAF says there is ‘not a grain of truth’ in rumours he claims to benefit from the Glazer’s family’s New York flotation of Manchester United.
The United boss has broken his silence in spectacular fashion via a strongly-worded statement revealed first by the Manchester Evening News website this afternoon.
The statement from SAF read:
“Being aware of the media coverage that is currently ongoing I felt, on this occasion, that I should make my position clear to the Manchester United fans.
“In regards to suggestions that I have praised the Glazer Family because I stand to financially benefit from the proposed IPO, there is not a single grain of truth in this allegation. I do not receive any payments, directly or indirectly, from the IPO.
“Ultimately, I run the football side of this club and in order to do this, you need backing from above.
“The Glazer family have let me get on with my job, there is no interference or obstruction, only support.
“My decisions and beliefs are not based around what is best for my personal financial gain. That is an accusation that insults me. If that was the case, I would have left Old Trafford a long time ago.
“I am speaking out because I do not want a situation to develop whereby the media and other parties create a rift, however small, between myself and any Manchester United fan. I’ve spent 25 years of my life pushing this club forward and not only could I not have done it without those fans, I do it for them.”
Nice of SAF to clear this up. The fans had a right to ask. But, if SAF is not part of the Manchester United Senior Management that gets the £288 million handout, who is?
