On Red Issue's website last night there was a simple but profound message from one of the longest-standing fanzines in football. "Manchester United RIP, 1878-2005," it read. "The body has gone, the soul lives on."
The mood was largely of resignation but Malcolm Glazer and his sons Joel and Avi should think again if they believe the spite and acrimony will have died away when, with a deep breath, they take their seats in the directors' enclosure at Old Trafford for the first time.
Greater Manchester police will be dreading that day already and Shareholders United, the organised and determined pressure group that has coordinated much of the anti-Glazer campaign, is not about to accept defeat quietly.
"We conducted a survey recently and if all the pledges are kept there are at least 20,000 fans who would be willing to boycott the club's matches and merchandise, as well as anything connected with the sponsors," said Nick Towle, the organisation's chairman.
"For example, I'm giving up my season ticket and I will also be cancelling my mobile phone contract with Vodafone [United's shirt sponsor]. Because of the huge numbers involved we calculate this form of action would cost the club and sponsors £18.5m a year.
"There is a committed hard core of supporters who are willing to make personal sacrifices. A boycott like this would create a gaping hole in Glazer's business plan. It would be worthwhile if it helps persuade him to leave the club."
The difficulty for Shareholders United is that the club's support base is so immense that Glazer's profit margins would not be eroded even if several thousand supporters refused to renew season tickets. United being United, there is a waiting list going back many years. The club have embarked on a building project to enlarge the stadium from 68,000 seats to 75,000 and are so confident of filling the ground that they have increased season-ticket prices by up to 24%.
"The rate they are going, the only people inside Old Trafford will be Japanese tourists," said Towle. "I still love the club but I refuse to put a penny more into the company and I believe as many as 20,000 fans will leave Manchester United. All the hard-core supporters will refuse to go, and then what kind of atmosphere will there be?"
Such is the level of spite, it is difficult to imagine any member of the Glazer family will be able to set foot in Old Trafford without bodyguards as well as a full-scale police operation. One group, the Manchester Education Committee, has a background of violence and has already released a statement threatening the Glazers with physical harm. There will be a concerted effort by the supporters' internet community to locate the family.
"Coolmore have sold the Manchester United heritage," said Mark Longden of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association (IMUSA). "They have proved that they were never ever interested in Manchester United, or football. If he [Glazer] takes over there will be no customers in the ground."
The extreme option of an AFC Wimbledon-style breakaway club was also being considered. Jules Spencer, chairman of the IMUSA, said: "If he does get control then we will do what we said, which is up sticks and form a new club which will continue the traditions and heritage and the legacy of 125 years of Manchester United. We don't want Malcolm Glazer, we want a club run for the fans - and that is what we will do."