Investigative journalist Chris Blackhurst joined me and Charlie Methven for the latest episode of our podcast ‘Where’s The Money Gone?’ Chris’s book ‘The World’s Biggest Cash Machine - Manchester United, The Glazers and The Struggle For Football’s Soul’ is out now. Here are some of the edited highlights.
On why the Glazers are so loathed by the United fanbase.
“They don't go to the games, they show zero interest. The Glazers, from Day One never turned up. And in a way, what's happened is a self fulfilling prophecy, almost like a circular argument. The reason they give for not going is they're worried about their safety. Well, the reason they ought to be worried about their safety is because they don't go. It just goes round and round.”
On United’s commercial machine.
“Ed Woodward, when he was in charge of the commercial side, they had a completely secret operation in Pall Mall. It didn't have a nameplate on the door [but] they employed 100 people. It was decked out, and I quote ‘like a Ralph Lauren clubhouse’. It was all polished wood and gold - an amazing place. And then later they moved to Stratton Street in Mayfair. And that's why they did all the commercial deals. And it's not without irony that the one bit of Old Trafford that actually has been refurbished and is superb, are the corporate boxes. The corporate boxes are fantastic.
“Last summer they struck the biggest ever kit sponsorship deal in the history of football with Adidas. The deals keep on flowing. I mean, they're incredible. There's an official banking partner of Myanmar. They have Aeroflot as a sponsor, they've got all these Asian snack food companies, I mean loads of them. They're very good at that. If only they had the same ability as on the playing side.”
On Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed 25% buyout for £1.25 million.
“I'm afraid I'm a bit cynical. If you put 25% into my house, I would still be deciding what colour it was painted. 25% gives you not very much. [Jim Ratcliffe is] a very good businessman. He's created a fantastic chemical company. But there’s nothing on the sporting side of Jim Ratcliffe that makes me think that he'll turn it round.
You can listen to the full podcast episode here.