Joel Glazer apologises for Manchester United’s failed Super League bid

David Lynch

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United owner Joel Glazer has issued an apology for his part in the club’s failed attempt to join a breakaway European Super League.

The controversial plan collapsed just 48 hours after it was revealed as a result of a huge backlash from supporters of clubs across Europe.

United joined their fellow members of the Premier League ‘big six’ in pulling out late on Tuesday evening, doing so through a short statement on the club’s official website.

But Glazer, who was announced as the vice-chairman of the newly created Super League in an initial press release, has now reached out to fans to apologise.

Read on for a full transcript of his open letter

‘We apologise unreservedly’

To all Manchester United supporters,

Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion which football generates, and the deep loyalty our fans have for this great club.

You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.

Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.

We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.

In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions – promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.

This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.

It is important for us to put that right.

Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.

The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.

We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.

In the background, you can be sure that we will be taking the necessary steps to rebuild relationships with other stakeholders across the game, with a view to working together on solutions to the long-term challenges facing the football pyramid.

Right now, our priority is to continue to support all of our teams as they push for the strongest possible finish to the season.

In closing, I would like to recognise that it is your support which makes this club so great, and we thank you for that.

With best regards,

Joel Glazer