Supporters[edit]
Main articles: Supporters' groups and Association football culture
A single tiered stand that contains thousands of people. Several flags are being waved. In front of the stand is a grass pitch with a goal.
Liverpool Kopites in The Kop Stand at Anfield
Both Manchester United and Liverpool are amongst the most popular football clubs (and sporting organisations) globally. Both are in the top 25 in Europe with Manchester considered the largest following of all, and with one of the highest average home attendances in Europe and large travelling support.[43] The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC), in at least 24 countries.[44] Liverpool states that its worldwide fan base also includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the LFC Official Supporters Clubs in at least 50 countries. Notable groups include Spirit of Shankly and Reclaim The Kop.[45]
The 2005 leveraged takeover of Manchester United by the Glazer family created a schism amongst Manchester fans, directly causing the creation of F.C. United of Manchester, and the "Love United Hate Glazer" movement, and subsequently the Red Knights who attempted to buy the Glazers out the club.[46][47] Two years later Liverpool went through its own controversial takeover when Chairman David Moores sold the club to American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks.[48] Disagreements between Gillett and Hicks, and the lack of popular support from fans, resulted in the pair looking to sell the club.[49] Martin Broughton was appointed chairman of the club on 16 April 2010 to oversee its sale.[50][51] Court action finally forced the sale of the club to Fenway Sports Group.[52][53]