Manchester United's owners were unconcerned by supporters who chorused "Die Glazer, die" in the early years of their ownership, according to an insider.
Tehsin Nayani served as a spokesman for the reclusive American Glazer family until 2010 and has written a book entitled "The Glazer Gatekeeper: six years speaking for Manchester United's silent owners," serialised in the Daily Mail.
The Glazers bought United in 2005, funding their purchase by borrowing against the club to the tune of £800 million. And supporters mobilised in opposition when they arrived at Old Trafford.
"Hundreds of angry protestors were filmed chanting 'Die Glazer, die,'" Nayani recalled. But although the Glazers were unable to get into the ground on that occasion, they returned the following day to talk to staff and, Nayani added: "They seemed completely unruffled by the preceding night's events."
The green-and-gold protest movement, using the club's original colours when they were known as Newton Heath, against the Glazer's ownership was at its strongest in 2010 when United eliminated AC Milan from the Champions League and former Old Trafford favourite David Beckham donned a green-and-gold scarf a fan had given him.
But Nayani claimed Joel Glazer remained calm throughout, telling him: "We don't know Beckham's motives for putting on the scarf. Also, I'm not sure the publicity is necessarily bad. Football is a passionate business. Won't it blow over?
"Sure, some fans are angry and protesting inside Old Trafford. But from where I'm sitting there are many millions of fans who are just happy the team are through to the next round.
"They're supporters of Manchester United too. I get that some fans don't like us, but to hate us, it's such a strong word. To hate us when the club has been so successful, it's extraordinary."