Our History, and Our Future

When Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB announced their bid to take over Manchester United in 1998 it took just two days for shareholding supporters to form themselves into the group, Shareholders United Against Murdoch (SUAM), founded September 8 1998. On April 9 1999, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) blocked the bid, and SUAM was credited with having played a major role in the decision making process.

Following the defeat of Murdoch, SUAM’s organisers decided to constitute themselves into a more formal body and thus Shareholders United was founded in Manchester on May 16 1999 as a company limited by guarantee.

The primary aim of Shareholders United was to maintain the independence of Manchester United through ownership of shares by supporters of the football club. Throughout its lifetime SU was a not-for-profit, democratic (elected Directors and Committee) and non-party political organisation whose members were Manchester United supporters holding shares in Manchester United plc as part of their emotional stake in the club. As a result of the Glazer takeover and the removal of the plc from the stock market shareholders have been forced to give up their part ownership of the club and the SU Share Scheme has had to be wound up.

Now we have entered a new phase and Shareholders United has evolved into MUST, the independent Manchester United supporters' trust. The Trust has transformed itself into an Industrial & Provident Society - a democratic and not-for-profit mutual society which is registered with and overseen by the Financial Services Authority. It continues to be recognised by Supporters Direct as the only supporters' trust for Manchester United and is currently the largest Supporters Trust in the world with over 33,000.

MUST continues to reach for the same goal. We are actively working toward achieving supporter ownership of Manchester United by the club's loyal fans.

Copyright © 2007 MUST, the independent Manchester United supporters trust. All rights reserved.
We are the official trust for Manchester United FC, but please don't confuse us with the Glazer-owned United. Click here to understand what this means.