Manchester United’s new owners have vowed to “keep the club successful” after their first meeting with the sports’s leading figures.
The three sons of Malcolm Glazer – all now on the United board – met representatives from the Premier League and the Football Association.
Sports Minister Richard Caborn and Manchester United chief executive David Gill also attended the meeting.
“I hope they are reassured by our experience in sport,” said Joel Glazer.
Glazer now owns 98% of the Old Trafford club, but his takeover has angered many fans – who fear he will exploit their loyalty to pay off some of the debt he accrued buying the club in the first place.
Joel Glazer said: “We have had some really positive meetings. We are delighted to have met the game’s leading administrators and the Sports Minister so early in our time at United and we are grateful to them all for making the time to see us.
“There’s been a lot in the UK press about us in the last 18 months and this has been an invaluable chance to tell the men who run the game what the truth is.”
FA chief Brian Barwick said: “This was the first opportunity we have had to meet with the new owners of Manchester United and we are pleased to have been able to sit down with them.
“It’s important that the FA understands the objectives and future plans they have for a club of the stature of United.
“We enjoyed a very constructive meeting in which the Manchester United officials addressed the many important questions we had to ask them.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: “There was an open exchange where they (the Glazers) detailed their motives and aspirations for the club and we shared our strategic objectives for the Premier League.
“I am pleased to report that there is a great deal of common ground between us. Crucially, on the matter of collective selling of our television rights, we have received an unequivocal commitment to continue on the current basis.
“Since the formation of the Premier League Manchester United FC has played a key role in shaping its fortunes and I am confident the club and its new owners are committed to continuing this.”
Sports minister Richard Caborn said: “In Government we need to harness the power of football, help in our work on the social inclusion agenda and I am delighted with the positive response the directors gave.
“I welcome the fact that the directors have been open with the football authorities and the Government about their plans.
“There has been a considerable amount of concern among organised fans groups and our discussion reflected that.
“But there is no shortage of enthusiasm for the task ahead. I am reassured of the conversation on collective selling of Premier League TV rights and their experience in sport in the US.”
