JOEL GLAZER has apologised to Manchester United fans in an open letter – and vowed to "rebuild trust" over the European Super League fiasco.
The Old Trafford co-owner admits United 'got it wrong' as a huge backlash forced the 12 rebel clubs to ditch their closed-shop, breakaway set-up.
Glazer still insisted: "European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term".
But in a lengthy statement on United's website, he said: "We fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.
"In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.
"This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.
"It is important for us to put that right."
As the ESL plans crumbled on Tuesday night, United announced executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would quit "at the end of 2021".
Now owners of the Premier League Big Six each face losing £8MILLION due to the collapse of the league.
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They could also pick up huge fines, having reportedly signed contracts binding them strictly to the project.
United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham joined Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus in launching the midweek tournament.
Each club purchased around £8m in equity stakes in the league to help negotiate broadcasting deals, commercial contracts and to cover legal fees.
Glazer's statement seemed to recognise the furore from supporters, players, management and football authorities over not just the whole concept of the ESL but also the secrecy and lack of consultation.
JOEL GLAZER’S FULL STATEMENT
To all Manchester United supporters,
Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion which football generates, and the deep loyalty our fans have for this great club.
You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.
We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.
In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.
This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.
It is important for us to put that right.
Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.
The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.
We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.
In the background, you can be sure that we will be taking the necessary steps to rebuild relationships with other stakeholders across the game, with a view to working together on solutions to the long-term challenges facing the football pyramid.
Right now, our priority is to continue to support all of our teams as they push for the strongest possible finish to the season.
In closing, I would like to recognise that it is your support which makes this club so great, and we thank you for that.
With best regards,
Joel Glazer
He said: "Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.
"The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.
"We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club."
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