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The brand plays on

That is the conclusion of an article by Oliver Kay about Manchester United in The Times this morning. Kay argues, 'For the past five years since [Sir Alex] Ferguson's retirement, the most influential person at Old Trafford has been executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the investment banker who, having conceived the leveraged buy out of the club while at JP Morgan, effectively invented what United supporters grudgingly call "Glazernomics"'

Kay notes that while Woodward 'has handed over extravagant transfer fees and/or exorbitant contracts for players who fit is commercial vision while investing modestly in defenders.'

The Glazers' ownership of United has cost more than £1 billion in interest repayments, bond buybacks, financing costs and management fees. In 2018 Glazernomics cost a £22 million dividend for themselves and £18 million in interest charges to banks.

It cost Manchester United £4.9m to sack Moyes in 2014 and £8.4 million to sack Louis van Gaal in 2016. With 18 months left on his contract it has been estimated that it would cost £15m to get rid of Mourinho, not to mention the bill of over half a million for his hotel suite at The Lowry.

Anyway, Manchester United's stock market value increased by $175 million yesterday following Mourinho's dismissal.

David Conn discusses what has happened in the 13 years the Glazers have been in charge here: The Glazers at United

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