Glazers visit United megastore
After their traumatic experience at Old Trafford last night, Joel, Avi and Bryan Glazer took a more leisurely trip around Manchester United’s megastore this afternoon.
The three brothers, who had been forced to flee the ground in a police van last night, were spotted carrying rucksacks and T-shirts, accompanied by chief executive David Gill, on a trip around the hub of United’s vast merchandising operation.
Doors to the megastore were locked 10 minutes prior to the visit in order to ensure there was no repetition of the ugly scenes that accompanied their exit last night.
However, with none of the militant mob who chanted ‘die Glazer die’ at the them yesterday around to offer more intimidation, their shopping expedition was witnessed only by a mass media pack and a few curious onlookers.
Earlier, Joel Glazer, who it is thought arrived back at Old Trafford the way he had left it – accompanied by officers of the Greater Manchester Police – is thought to have addressed members of the United staff to highlight their intentions for the club.
By lunchtime, Sir Bobby Charlton, former chairman Martin Edwards and club secretary Maurice Watkins – famously booted off the United board by Glazer last November – had arrived to hear what the brothers had to say.
The Glazers, who were appointed to the United board after their father Malcolm completed his takeover of the club, visited the ground for the first time yesterday.
Fans opposed to the takeover gathered to protest and the club needed to erect security barriers to block the directors’ entrance.
The Glazers eventually left the ground in the back of a police van and an uneasy stand-off between officers and protesters eventually spilled over into outright confrontation.
