Graeme Souness has never exactly been a popular figure among Manchester United fans. However, his latest comments have well and truly hit a nerve.
The Glazer family's ownership of United has been a problem for many fans since they took control of the club, with multiple protests taking place over the past few years. Everyone remembers the Liverpool game last season which had to be postponed due to protesters making their way onto the pitch, and the most recent protest came just last weekend prior to the clash with Norwich City, with fans making a point of showing their anger at what they perceived to be 'broken promises'.
So, fans were understandably enraged when Souness decided to show support for the United owners on Sky Sports after their 4-0 loss to Liverpool: "I can't personally put too much blame attached to the Glazers. Other than them allowing people who weren't qualified and weren't good enough to make football decisions. In terms of the funding, you can not be critical."
READ MORE: Gary Neville hits back at Graeme Souness claim on Glazer ownership of Manchester United
Gary Neville, who was horrified by Souness' comments, was quick to quash his theory, saying: Graeme, Graeme, seriously. No owners of any good business around the world when the core activity of that business is failing and the cash reserves have been drained over the last few years through Covid, continue to take money out of a business."
Neville continued, commenting on the club's financial mismanagement and their recruitment, posing the most important question of all: If the Glazers have spent money on United, what have they spent it on? A report released in 2015 stated that since their acquisition of the club, the Glazers had paid themselves and other shareholders over £1billion in dividends, but this could perhaps be overlooked if they were delivering steady success.
Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, United have fallen off a cliff and the club have failed to win a trophy in the last five seasons. Ed Woodward oversaw much of their relatively recent disappointment before being replaced by Richard Arnold.
The Glazers have also committed to an overhaul of the club's sporting structure as well as investing in facilities, but most United fans have understandably seen this as too little too late. The gap between themselves and both Manchester City and Liverpool (on and off the pitch) is far too big to be bridged in one summer.
Yes, the club have spent money in the transfer market, but how that money has been spent has been directly influenced by the ownership. The hope is under Arnold and John Murtough, things will change should Erik ten Hag be appointed. United fans made their feelings on Souness' comments clear. The following were all taken from Twitter:
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