Manchester United: Gary Neville and ex-team-mate John O’Kane in Twitter spat over #GlazersOut protests

Former United full-back doubtful of what online protests can achieve

Gary Neville and John O’Kane, his fellow Class of ‘92 member at Manchester United, were involved in a Twitter spat on Sunday over recent #GlazersOut protests.

A group of United supporters calling themselves the Glazers Out Movement (GOM) have led a social media campaign against the club’s owners throughout the summer, following last season’s disappointing sixth-place Premier League finish.

Last month, GOM published an open letter which posed ‘five key questions’ to the Glazer family regarding their stewardship of the club, with O’Kane one of the signatories. Further action is expected around United’s opening game of the season against Chelsea.

In a tweet on Sunday morning, Neville cast doubt on what online-based protests can achieve, describing those leading the campaign as “muppets on here [Twitter] who think something trending or an ex-player having a go will move the owners out of the club!

“Owners don’t leave clubs unless they want to or are being hurt commercially. A bit of noise on here isn’t going to do a jot! It’s like a fly attacking an elephant,” he added.

O’Kane responded by claiming that fans are merely hoping to “create awareness” around the issue, adding: “Calling out a few ex-players for ‘having a go’ I couldn’t give a f*** what you think of me.”

Neville replied: “Are their 2 John O’Kanes? The one I knew that cowered at the thought of giving his all for the club and was unprofessional whilst wearing the shirt and this one who is a Twitter warrior and represents the fans with all his heart. Can’t be the same bloke surely!”

O’Kane made 10 senior appearances for United before embarking on a career which involved spells at Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Hyde United.

“Some make it at Utd Gaz some don’t we all have different paths I’ve found mine now! As football wasn’t for me go f*** yourself,” he responded.

The Glazers’ leveraged takeover of United in 2005 was financed by loans which loaded around £525m debt onto club, leading to protests, rancour and division among supporters, and the founding of phoenix club FC United of Manchester.

The Florida-based family have been accused of draining more than £1bn from United in interest, costs and dividends over the years since the takeover. As recently as March of this year, United’s net debt stood at £301.7m.