'In an unintentional yet ironically timely show of solidarity, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faithful staged their own mild protest against Manchester United's owner-in-waiting Malcolm Glazer. Though not as militant as some of their similarly disgruntled United counterparts, some Buccaneers supporters underlined their frus- tration at Tampa Bay's dismal start to the NFL season by voting with their feet yesterday.
An embarrassing scattering of empty red seats, whole vacant rows in some sections of Raymond James Stadium, greeted a team that had won only once in five games as they faced the Chicago Bears. This time last season the Buccaneers were defending world champions and the hottest ticket in town. Less than two years after winning the Super Bowl the Glazer family has directed its team's own downfall through a series of dubious decisions that will certainly concern United supporters.
The successful and popular general manager Rich McKay was replaced by Bruce Allen of the Oakland Raiders and many fan favourites on the field were allowed to leave in favour of ageing veterans. The results, or lack of them, have annoyed some fans, who admit United might find themselves in a similarly alarming position if Glazer becomes their new owner.
"I'd be worried if I was a Manchester United fan because I think his interest is in business rather than the sport itself," said the Buccaneers fan and Tampa native Jim Freeman. "His interest is in winning also, but mainly because it increases the worth of the business."
Back here in Tampa Freeman said: "We might have won the Super Bowl but what have we got now?" added Freeman. "We're 1-5. As a sports fan I hope that doesn't happen to Manchester United."
"I don't think they're even strong [American] football fans," said Freeman. "They're into the pride of ownership and the involvement you have as an NFL owner, which is a very exclusive club. It's a power thing. As far as soccer goes I don't think they're any more interested in Manchester United than I am."