Manchester United owners changing business plans

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According to the Premier League club’s chief executive, David Gil, the Glazer family is adjusting its business plans after originally taking over the club last summer, a move that caused a great deal of controversy and fan protests.

“The board had concerns before they took over, but they've demonstrated they will listen,” Gill told BBC Sport. “Their business plan clearly allows for investment in the product - the team.”

In order to complete its takeover of the club, the Glazer family had to borrow heavily to meet the GBP 800-million buyout. 

Earlier this month, the club announced that season ticket prices would be increased by 12.3 percent for next season, although the club noted that it was still less expensive than the season ticket prices of seven other Premier League clubs.

Gill said: “The debt within the club is serviceable and, what with stadium expansion and sponsorship deals, our income streams are in good shape.”

The sponsorship deal Gill referred to was a record GBP 56.5 million deal with American Insurers Group (AIG), which would make it the richest shirt sponsorship deal in history. The club’s stadium, Old Trafford, is also going construction to expand its seating capacity to 72,000, which would make it the largest stadium in the Premier League. League rivals Arsenal FC will debut its new 60,000 stadium next season.

Gill denied, however, that the club would be seeking a sponsor for stadium naming rights.