Arsene Wenger believes Malcolm Glazer should be given a chance at Manchester United, and does not feel that the American's takeover of the club is bad for them or football.

"Don't convict a guy who comes in and has not made one decision," said the Arsenal manager, who is preparing to face United in next Saturday's FA Cup final. "You have to accept this guy has been successful in what he has done."

Wenger thinks that Glazer's involvement in football is indicative of a shift in the way clubs are being run. "Football is at an intermediate stage," he said. "It's gone from the guy who loves the club to a totally economic stage."

He believes Glazer must be interested in the long-term prosperity of United or he would not have invested so heavily. "If you invest £790 million to buy a club, do you want to destroy your capital? No. Why should his interest be to destroy the club?"

Wenger understands United fans' displeasure at the club being run by a man previously uninterested in football, but said that, if Arsenal were taken over by a figure such as the American, he would not complain."You have to be open-minded and positive. It can also be very good for the club." He said that United cannot begrudge what has happened because of their status as a public limited company, something that he is pleased Arsenal are not.

"I could work for a plc, but I would prefer a private company if it's my choice," he said.

"The most important thing is that you wake up and can go to work," he said. "You can do that if you have the support of the board."