Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has backed a campaign to increase fan ownership in the club.
His statement was short and simple: “Yes, my friends, I have signed for United again.”
Joel Glazer recently said at a fans forum that United’s owners will make shares available to fans.
They would have equal voting rights to the ones held by the Glazers, loosening their control of the club and handing some of it over to the supporters.
The chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) Duncan Drasdo said of Cantona’s backing: “Once again Eric Cantona is leading the attack for United and we as United fans need to follow his example and join the Sign for United campaign.
“No-one loves the club more than we do, so fans should be at the heart of ownership. This is our chance to take the first step towards that change.
“Joel Glazer promised to create the biggest supporters share scheme in sport – now is the time to make good on that promise.”
That last line is critical here. Glazer has to follow through on his words with actions. There is understandable skepticism from supporters given how shambolic the Glazers’ reign has been so far.
More United legends to sign up?
The National report that more United legends are though to be behind the campaign.
That high-profile support will give MUST’s campaign momentum and keep it on the news agenda over a long period of time.
If United fans had voting rights, debacles like the Super League would never have got off the ground.
The campaign is part of a wider review of ownership of football clubs by the government.
Again, we wait to see what the outcome of that will be. But Cantona throwing his weight behind what United fans are trying to do is a decent start.
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