In an astonishingly naïve interview Ben Foster has criticised the green and gold protest movement, dismissed the Glazer family’s ownership as nothing more than ‘a technicality’ and claimed that there is no shortage of investment in the transfer market. Foster moved to Birmingham City this week for around £6 million.
Speaking after the goalkeeper’s transfer out of Manchester United, Foster claimed that the protest movement this season had become a distraction to the players.
“There’s maybe too much made of it by the supporters,” said the stopper who played just 26 times in five years at the club.
“They are obviously passionate about Manchester United, but sometimes they need to focus on supporting the club a bit more than getting carried away with the technicalities of who’s in charge.
“Personally, I think the Glazers have always put money in to Manchester United to buy players when needed. Having said that, I don’t think the manager needs to buy too many players there anyway. They have a lot of good youngsters coming through the ranks.”
Foster’s tirade is surprising for both it’s source and inaccuracy, with United running a net transfer surplus under the Glazers and few believing that the family will invest in this summer’s market.
Perhaps even more pertinently many supporters see ownership as far more important than a technicality, with the future of the £716.5 million indebted club at stake.
Not good enough to make it at Old Trafford, Foster’s comments smack of a player keen to offload his personal failure onto supporters.
Enjoy Birmingham Ben, but in future leave matters of United to the supporters.
Ben’s just the latest to join the Glazer’s PR Campaign and their payrole. The protests may have distracted you Ben, let’s face it, it’s not that hard to distract you tbh. Edwin didn’t find it too much of a distraction now did he Ben? Next you’ll be blaming your poor keeping on the fans too…lol.
It’s season ticket renewal time (They’re begging us a month in advance to renew this year) and talk of a bid by the red knight is all over the news…IMO this is just the latest bllsht installment in a concerted Glazer PR Offensive.
I agree the protests could be a distraction but this is just such obviously trumped up, calculated Glazer toe sucking as were Fergie’s obsequious articles yesterday too.
It was noticable last season how the team’s performances actually lifted when the protests started and beyond and so did the camaraderie and atmosphere in the ground…I believe it could actually have been lots worse without the Bond issue and the protests myself.
Here’s one to ponder…how much have a lack of protests over the last 5 years cost us…800+ million in debt and counting…
What actually cost us was not strengthening the squad before the beginning of last season not a few symbolic protests…over reliance on Rooney and not replacing Tevez or Ronaldo….whilst all of the money was siphoned off into either Glazers back pocket or to pay debt.
I’m proud we all stood up for what we believe in and didn’t just take it up the rear from those parasites without any riposte. Expect plenty more the next time more Glazer Skulduggery is revealed…because it will be
Those articles, and maybe to an extent this one could have been written by the gimps themselves…still begging for season ticket renewal and trying desperately to stamp out any resistance to their financial strangling to death of Man Utd.
Bury our heads in the sand, it is one’s right to do so, in the meantime they’re killing the club we love…simples.
LUHG!!
By this one I mean Foster’s article not the one on this page…;o)
Since what part of what Foster said naive? and where would you call it a tirade?
And he’s right about it being a distraction to the players!
The fans have a right to make their feelings known but occaisionally need to use some common sense! Their protests have been hijacked by the Dodgy Knights, they are forgetting that though some of these investors are fans,like the rest of the investors they are in for the money! I’ve not seen one openly state they are prepared to write off their investment for the Love of the Club!
If the Glazers walk away it will be on their terms and a large profit to boot, that is unless fans feel they need to go back to a very long period of not winning by disrupting the Clubs finances and also future investment.
Sometimes you have the to pay the price for success, but I agree with some of the protests that stopped the Club increasing season ticket prices, a better orchastrated campaign is needed by all the different supporters factions agreeing to operate under one umbrella! Lets see some common sense action, and don’t get led by the money men in what ever guise they portray
He’s probably just articulated what the rest of the players think but can’t express while they are at the club. It’s worth listening to rather than just personally acting him. Bad form.
I think that’s a little harsh. His comments are misguided and quite frankly wrong, and it isn’t his place to ‘lecture’ fans on this, but I don’t think there’s any malicious intent, lingering bitterness or attempt to hide his own failings/shift the blame for them elsewhere. I don’t think it was much of a tirade either really, more just passing comment, presumably when prompted by an interviewer. I think he’s just typical of most players who simply focus on simple, on-pitch matters and don’t really understand the feelings of the fans – after all, Gary Neville has said pretty similar things, and he’s a lifelong United fan.
I think it a bit much to call Ben’s comments a tirade. He’s entitled to his opinion. I personally find it heartbreaking seeing the green and gold protest at OT every week. Have not and never will support it. All of a sudden every half wit is talking about PIKs, paying it down, bonds, shares and just about every other city term they’d never heard of until recently. They should rename their protest Love United, Hate Berbatov in honour of the way they abused the player all season. Never thought i’d witness that at Old Trafford but you live and learn i guess.
Foster is intelligent after all.What he said is the ultimate truth.
‘I don’t think the manager needs to buy too many players there anyway.’
Professionals should not be afraid of competition.
I’m not too sure what to make of this, he could have said it while he was at the club but to open his mouth after leaving seems strange? It’s not his problem now and when it was his problem he said nothing about it, so I’m just going to ignore him.
I wonder, were the Red Knights to take over and show their true ‘colours’,
what scarves would the next batch of anti-owner United fans wave ?
Pink and Cream perhaps – with a dash of Lavender.
Sorry, but have to agree with Ben the Brum a bit.
Never have liked the friggin’ Green and God.
As far as the Glazers are concerned, let’s face it, all footie fans in this country have always got ripped off anyhow.