To Manchester United fans, the Glazer family are heartless, absentee owners who have overseen a nosedive from the pinnacle of world football to also-ran status across two decades in charge. Supporters of the NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have a different perspective, however.
While the Glazers are seldom heard from when it comes to United, shielding themselves from the relentless scrutiny of match-going fans, they take a more hands-on role with the Buccaneers, as shown by Sunday’s big win on the road at the Green Bay Packers.
The Bucs are having a solid season with a 7-7 record and lead the way in a mediocre NFC South, putting them on course to make the playoffs, and brothers Bryan, Joel and Avram made the long trip from Florida to Wisconsin to support head coach Todd Bowles and his players at Lambeau Field.
They were treated to a sensational performance, with resurgent quarterback Baker Mayfield enjoying a near-perfect day, throwing for 3841 yards and four touchdowns as he carved up the Packers’ defense en route to a 34-20 victory.
The scenes that followed in the tunnel are sure to be galling for United fans, the vast majority of whom have longed for the end of the American’s custody of their club. The brothers greeted every single player, staffer and coach as they made their way to the locker room, thanking them for their efforts in a massive win for their playoff hopes.
Head coach Todd Bowles received huge embraces from Bryan and Joel as he passed them in a big vote of confidence for a man whose position has been under scrutiny during the low points over the past two seasons.
In a stark contrast, the Glazers have rarely been seen at Old Trafford throughout their stewardship, attending no more than a handful of games between them each year. And it United fans would be forgiven for thinking the Buccaneers are a bigger sporting priority to the family if their actions on Sunday are anything to go by.
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The Bucs have belonged to the Glazer family portfolio since 1995, winning a pair of Super Bowls in that time, most recently in 2020 when the free agent acquisition of superstar quarterback Tom Brady inspired a glorious season for the franchise.
The Glazers are in the process of selling around a quarter of United to British petrochemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who will pay more than £1billion for the shares. Despite the Glazer family retaining majority ownership, sporting control of the club is set to be handed to Ratcliffe and his company INEOS, whose sporting portfolio is fronted by former Team GB cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford.
A change in control of football operations at Carrington seems to put manager Erik Ten Hag in a precarious situation after a chaotic start to the season for United, who sit seventh in the Premier League table. However, Sunday’s hard-fought goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield has steadied the ship, with several senior players set to return from injury soon including Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
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