Alex Ferguson suffered the ignominy of more public criticism from his club's own supporters last night after breaking his silence about Malcolm Glazer's ownership to describe the American as "excellent" for United.

Ferguson has scrupulously refused to discuss the Glazer family since they took over last summer, or indeed when they were in the process of accumulating their majority stake. Yet, having signed Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra for a combined £12.7million, he spoke for the first time about the Glazers' input at Old Trafford and said he had relished their involvement over the last seven months.

"I have found them, without question, to be excellent new owners," he said. "They have never failed in their promises and their support in everything we have done."

His comments were denounced by the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (Must), formerly known as Shareholders United, which insinuated that Ferguson, who is on a one-year rolling contract, was trying to ingratiate himself with the new owners at a time when his long-term prospects were being widely debated and many fans wanted a change of manager.

"We welcome the fact that some money has been made available but many United supporters feel the squad is in dire need of strengthening," said Must's statement. "A cash injection of £100 million might be required if we are serious about challenging for the top honours.

"Unfortunately until there is a change in ownership that kind of investment will remain impossible due to the huge debt the current owners have saddled us with. Any squad investment is not coming from the Glazers' own pockets but is simply adding to the huge debt, which must now be approaching £700million with the interest that is racking up."

When it first transpired that a takeover was being planned the United manager let it be known privately that he opposed such a move. Yet Ferguson now insists they do not deserve to be condemned, pointing out their willingness to back him in the transfer market since the turn of the year.

"It's demonstrated by their commitment to the purchase of the two new players," he also declared yesterday, before indicating that the spending might not be over. "At this moment in time we're also searching certain parts of the market in Europe for one or two players."

Ferguson is in an invidious position in that, even if he was unhappy about the Glazers, he could hardly state as much publicly when he wants at least one more season in charge.

Guardian Service