Glazers are still a poisonous smell at Man Utd one year on from fans’ dream day

This time 12 months ago, not one but two earth tremors rocked Manchester United to its foundations.

It was November 22, 2022 and one of the most seismic days in the club's history. Over in Qatar, the world of football was engrossed in the World Cup.

But nothing England or Lionel Messi were doing in Doha could knock United off the back pages the following morning. That's because United had been put up for sale.

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And the English giants had also decided to dump Cristiano Ronaldo. You could almost hear the sonic booms coming out of Manchester, 4,300 miles away in Qatar.

Cue bedlam in the Hilton Hotel, where journalist had gathered for an evening meal. The night had been turned upside down in the space of what felt like a few holistic hours.

What have you made of the last 12 months at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments section

Ronaldo paid the price for trashing United and Erik ten Hag in a television interview. His contracted was torn up and the Old Trafford icon lost £16m in wages.

And while the situation between Ronaldo and the club had been poisonous for several weeks, United's decision to take such a strong stance with one of their most legendary players still came as a shock. As was news the Glazers had put 'for sale' signs up at Old Trafford.

Supporters didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Ronaldo was going for good, but so were the despised owners, it seemed.

Executive co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer said in a statement: "We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the Club today and in the future."

The news delighted fans. Some headed out to buy booze, before staging impromptu street parties across the city and beyond.

But staggeringly, a year later the hangovers remain, along with the Floridian businessmen as United's owners. Somehow, throughout all this time, no deal has been officially struck between the Glazers and new owners or investors.

Qatari Sheikh Jassim wanted to buy the club outright in a £5billion deal. He promised to wipe out the debt, improve the stadium, rebuild the training ground and invest in world class players.

But the Glazers held out for closer to £8billion, Sheikh Jassim lost his patience and walked out on the protracted negotiations. In the meantime, Sir Jim Ratcliffe lurked with intent in the background.

Like Sheikh Jassim, Ratcliffe had been given a guided tour of the facilities as he weighed up his own move to gain some control of a footballing monster. And it looks like he has, in the shape of a £1.4billion deal to take a 25 per cent stake in United.

Ratcliffe is Britain's richest man due to the success of his petrochemical company. But despite his immense wealth, United supporters are not jumping through hoops at the prospect of his imminent arrival.

Because the blokes they want rid off for good continue to hang around like a poisonous smell. There will be changes behind the scenes at United in the coming weeks.

Some of them are taking place as we speak. But some things continue to remain the same – and that's what angers supporters the most.

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