Former Manchester United star Tim Howard has defended the club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family.
The Glazers have sparked numerous protests over the years as a result of their stewardship at the club, with the majority of fans criticising the way the Red Devils have been run.
Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal, for example, will see group The 1958 protest against the Glazers for leading United to the brink of ‘financial Armageddon’.
The group are urging fans to wear black to symbolise their club ‘slowly dying’ and join the protest which will begin at the Tollgate pub at 3pm and move down Talbot Road, Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way before pausing at the Trinity statue and continuing down the Munich Tunnel.
It comes with the club down in 14th and on course for a historically poor Premier League campaign for a side that has won the trophy more times than any other.
Yet with many fans attributing large portions of the blame to their American so-owners, Howard has defended the decisions made by the Glazers.
Tim Howard (far right, back row) has voiced his support for unpopular owners the Glazers
The Glazers have frequently come in for criticism from fans during their tenure (pictured: Avram Glazer, left)
The Red Devils are currently on course for a historically poor season under Ruben Amorim
‘I think they’ve spent money for Man United in certain places, and ultimately the criticism of ownership from fans at any club, but at Manchester United it’s oftentimes one-sided,’ the former USMNT goalkeeper said.
‘The Glazers own the football club, and that in turn is a business. And what I’ve always said, because I am an owner, when you spend your billions to own a business, you have the right to run it in any way you want.
‘Now, that will ultimately prove good or bad business for sure, but you have the right to run it the way you want, and along with that comes criticism but everybody understands that. I think they have spent, and you can take it a step further and look at other clubs.
‘Everton are a mess, and not because they haven’t spent, but because they spent a lot of money. In fact, so much so that they got docked points because of PSR so I think the Glazers are spending money.
‘When you look at the squad and the amount of money that was paid for the likes of [Jadon] Sancho and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, all these players, money was spent. Was it spent wisely? I’m not sure the Glazers make those decisions, so there’s other parts of that question that need to be answered.’
Howard spent four years on the books at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2007, and was part of FA Cup and Carabao Cup winning sides during that stint.
The American then joined Everton, where he would become a club legend with 414 games and one remarkable goal.
The Red Devils take on Arsenal on Sunday at a time when matters on the pitch have rarely been worse.
Red Devils supporters are planning a protest against the Glazer family ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal
Manchester United brought former icon Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club from Juventus
While the Gunners are without a striker, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both out for the season, they did put seven past PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
With confidence at a low ebb domestically, there is perhaps more pressure riding on Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad, especially with the competition United’s only real chance of continental qualification for next term.
Much like the Gunners, but for different reasons, United have their own issues up front, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling for form.
The Red Devils had promoted Chido Obi to the senior squad and handed him his first minutes in recent weeks, though he will not be available for the clash against La Real.
