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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Man Utd and Arsenal left feeling like poor relations as ownership priorities clear

For the past two seasons Manchester United have failed to deliver and over the same time frame Arsenal have been forced to rebuild as they aim to, again, become challengers.

Whilst that has been going on their respective American owners signed up - then quickly backed out - of a European Super League amid major fan backlash but have, other than that, remained largely anonymous.

That lack of presence has angered fans with the feeling being they don't care about matters on the pitch as long as the financial welfare remains in order.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean, they have been prominent in securing success for their respective NFL franchises.

On Sunday night the Los Angeles Rams won SuperBowl LVI in their own backyard.

Will Arsenal or Man Utd finish in the top four this season? Have your say in the comments!

Stan Kroenke saw his Los Angeles Rams franchise win Super Bowl LVI (AFP via Getty Images)

Kroenke upped and moved the team from St Louis several years ago and has now seen the switch legitimised.

The Rams became the second team to claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy at their own stadium in as many years.

Last year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, owned by the Glazers, enjoyed success over the Kansas City Chiefs at their Raymond James Stadium.

Kroenke's message to the people

It is rare that Kroenke finds himself at the Emirates, if ever.

Since Arsene Wenger's departure he has seen the Gunners lose their regular Champions League spot - and the riches that come with it.

Unai Emery was hired and fired with Mikel Arteta now at the helm. Investment has been made but the consensus is that their American owner pays little, if any, attention.

Yet speaking on Sunday night his passion for not only his NFL team, but the fans who have backed them since their move, was evident.

“Amazing, and just really proud of this group," Kroenke said. "So happy for them, and then you talk about these players.

“They’re unbelievable, and this just hung in there. It was a tough game and I’m just so proud of them executing like they did. As far as building this stadium goes, I think it turned out alright.

“Thanks to the great fans of Los Angeles, your first Super Bowl trophy in Rams house.”

How Arsenal fans would like their owner to be as invested in them.

Kroenke's lack of effort was summed up in a recent fan forum, which was done to build bridges following the Super League failure.

Rather than attending his son, Josh, who is a member of the club's hierarchy, claimed his presence represented his father.

He said: "I would say that if you're hearing from me you're hearing from my father. I've always said that for years now. When I speak or he speaks you're usually hearing from both of us."

Glazer's failed coup

Whist in Manchester Sir Alex Ferguson for so long acted as a shield between the fan anger and the Glazers. Success on the pitch covered up cracks for years, but that buffer no longer exists.

United too attempted to join the Super League which created further divisions at Old Trafford, eventually resulting in fans invading the stadium late last season.

The Red Devils remain miles off challenging for the Premier League title and without any silverware since 2017.

Yet last year the Glazers were rejoicing the Super Bowl LV success in Florida.

Like Kroenke, Joel Glazer hailed the team's followers whilst also highlighting the influence of Tom Brady, who had joined that season.

He said: "Now to our great fans: We did it at home. My father had an expression, if you want to know the road ahead, ask the person that's been there.

"We found that person. Ten Super Bowl appearances, seven victories... Tom Brady."

Citing the presence of Brady as a key is perhaps why the Glazers sanctioned the return of Ronaldo. A man that had been there and done it.

Except the reality and the expectation could not have been further apart with Ronaldo unable to take United forward, instead seeing them decline, not the club's owners appear overly concerned.

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