One stark contrast on Sunday ta the Carling Cup final will be to look to the directors box and notice the tale of two American owners.
In the RED corner (or should that be yellow & green) will be the Glazier family. Possibly the most hated people inside of Old Trafford and that probably includes any scousers. They have managed despite the club still winning and in contention to ensure the club has £700m in debt and for many do not have the resources to compete at the very top level. This is despite record turnover and large operating profits, which get wiped out by the large amount of interest Man Utd. have to play to service in effect Glazier’s own debt, that just can not be right.
So in the CLARET & BLUE corner we have the quiet American, Randy Lerner. Posted elsewhere what he has done for the club in just under 4 years but this season is a vindication of his and MON’s policy of what I call ‘organic growth’. We had a long way to when he took over from Doug Ellis the club had rarely been at such a low point. However through player investment and steady use of home grown and cheap players MON has fashioned a team on the verge of the most successful season since 1996 and possibly since 1982 if we get ot the FA cup.
When (for there is no doubt of that) we lift the Carling Cup on Sunday Randy will be standing there proudly seeing the start of his desire for success for the club. He will deserve all the credit going (along with MON of course) for the success and he will deserve
There is only ONE Randy Lerner
being sung around Wembley as the Yellow and Green masses troop out to contemplate interest payments.
Aston Villa News 24/7
In what sense do Manchester United “lack the resources to compete at the very top level” ?…Thats a little bizarre imo, this is Manchester United mate, reigning Champions, last season’s Champions League finalists, Champions League winners the year before. This year headed certainly for the top two in the Premiership and the latter stages of the Champions League, again. I wish we “lacked resources” in that way. While Randy has done brilliantly, and we should all be thankful for what he has done, he hasnt made us into one of the elite clubs like United, and wont I dont think. Thats not a bad thing, let the club keep its soul while retaining a degree of competitiveness in the second tier of clubs. Maybe thats better than becoming one of these elite clubs with their soulless stadia, padded seats, their plastic atmosphere and their glory hunting fans.
PB, Thats a somewhat alarmingly harsh riposte. You have to admit, Ianrobo has a point. You don’t have the same resources as the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Real Mardrid, Barcelona etc. You sold your Talismanic player in Ronaldo (and lets not even mention Tevez) to a Competitor in your apparent “elite” league which doesn’t auger like a club thats untouchable??
That said you can hardly say its any player, or the managers, fault. There is alot of rumour mongering about the future vialbility of operating such massive debt repayments… Randy lerner may not turn us into elite club any time soon but if the Glazers continue like they have, he won’t need to, you’ll be financially stunted and miss out on the best new talent and players.
Also Villa Park is recognised as one of the Bastions of English football, its not like we have the DW Stadium, so less of this “padded seats nonsense”.
what is it, some 25 years ago Aston Villa were the dominant force in English football, do you think Man Utd will Still be a force in 25years time? Perhaps, but they won’t be alone…
to be fair Vilian, PB is a lifelong villa fan !!
how long I known you now Pete ?
10 years ?
USA USA USA!
“In what sense do Manchester United “lack the resources to compete at the very top level” ?…”
dead simple Pete
Look at hom much they have spent since Glaziers took over, is it not level. OK allow for Ronaldo BUT they can no compete with 4/5 clubs now and beyond Rooney they lack real top class stars
Sorry Ian, I think they’re still one of the best teams in the world. It happens that our style of play means that we actually stand a pretty good chance on Sunday, but they are still light years ahead of us. For all that, I agree with you that it’d be great if Randy got some positive attention from the fans – the same fans who gave Doug a standing ovation before the 2000 Cup Final. Here’s hoping Petrov or Dunne is lifting that Cup at teatime on Sunday, it has been waaaay too long
Indeed Pete but light years ahead ??
take out Rooney and do you really think they are that much better ?
put rooney in our team and we would be top, almost certain of that