European Super League: Manchester United owner Joel Glazer apologises for 'failure to show respect' for traditions

Joel Glazer has released an open letter to fans of Manchester United Credit: PA Images

Manchester United has apologised after they "got it wrong" and "failed to show enough respect" for football's "deep-rooted traditions" following their commitment to the European Super League.

In a letter to fans posted on their website Joel Glazer, who owns the club alongside brother Avram, promised to "show we can put things right".

But, he remained defiant that European football needed "to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term".

Manchester United joint chairmen Avram Glazer (left) and Joel Glazer (right) have come in for heavy criticism. Credit: PA Images

His response follows a video released by Liverpool FC owner John W Henry in which he also apologised to fans, and took sole responsibility for his team joining the controversial league.

Manchester United has come under increasing criticism as it became one of the only teams who had joined the league not to issue a statement following backlash from fans.

In the letter Glazer said he was committed to rebuilding trust with fans, and added: "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."

Joel Glazer's full letter:

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.