- Associated Press - Tuesday, March 8, 2011

LONDON (AP) - Manchester United chief executive David Gill has defended the club’s American owners at a British parliamentary inquiry into English soccer.

Some Manchester United fans are angry that the Glazer family’s 2005 takeover left the club with debts that currently exceed 500 million pounds ($812 million).

Gill told a House of Commons committee Tuesday that the Glazers are not “an embarrassment.” He said the club would not “open a dialogue” with fans’ groups who are “at war with the owners.”

Gill says the Glazers have “delegated Alex Ferguson” to talk to the fans. He didn’t mention that the manager is refusing to talk to the media, including United’s own television channel.

Gill says one of the biggest issues facing United is when will the 69-year-old Ferguson retire. Gill says that will be “in due course.”

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