Apart from the Bayern Munich model (run by club legends, part owned by fans, stealing all the talent from other German clubs etc.) what is the ideal scenario, when it comes to ownership of the club? Surely the next best thing is to have owners who want to buy success and will spend whatever it takes?
It probably won't be popular, but what we've had the last few years is pretty much up there in terms of realistic options.
I don't want the owner to treat us as a plaything.
I don't want the owner getting involved in decision making at the club.
I don't want the owner taking significant amounts of money out of the club for themselves (a small amount is fine).
The money the club makes needs to be funnelled back into the club. Which does seem to have happened the majority of the last five or so years (this last transfer window is the one exception but we don't really know if that was caused by the owners or if there was something else going on).
Basically I want the club to be strong because it's well-run, not because the owners are rich. I want to 'deserve' the success, not have it gifted. The only thing I'd be comfortable a rich owner 'gifting' us would be development on Old Trafford. We are in a position where we can spend enough to keep up with the oil-backed clubs as long as it's spent well and then managed well on the pitch. That's where our issue has been.