The Manchester United Supporters' Trust have issued a statement welcoming the news that the Glazer family have finally put the club on the market.
The American family, who purchased United back in May 2005, are massively unpopular with fans and have been the subject of multi protests over the past few years. There had been speculation - after the latest protests earlier this year - that the Glazers were considering their options in relation to their ownership of the club.
That speculation was ended late last night in a statement which confirmed that the club would commence "a process to explore strategic alternatives" - meaning a full takeover of the club has not been ruled out. The news came just hours after Manchester United confirmed they had terminated Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with "immediate effect".
In a statement released on Wednesday, the MUST said: "The statement last night from Manchester United, that the club is up for sale, confirmed information we'd been hearing over recent days.
"Over the last 17 years Manchester United fans have been dismayed with the ownership of the club. Over that period, we have witnessed a decline on the playing side and a decline in our stadium. Until recently, any proper dialogue with fans groups had also been absent.
"Whilst supporters have long called for change, of course this has to be the right change. At this moment in time our club needs new investment more than ever. That requires new ownership.
"Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture, ethos and best traditions of the club. They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium. Finally any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.
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"Manchester United's fans are its greatest asset and hold the key to unlocking the true value of any football club. That relationship has to be one of equals - sharing in ownership and and unified with the same goals."
There has already been plenty of names linked with a takeover at Old Trafford in recent months; including lifelong United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
And a fresh report from Arabian Business on Wednesday morning outlined that there is already investors in the Middle East who have been put on 'red alert' by the statement released by the Glazer family.
Other reports have suggested that the Glazers could demand anywhere in the region of £6-£8 billion to sell the club - a figure which could put off potential suitors.
