Manchester United needs new owners and fresh investment to halt years of decline and fans should be given a real say in how the club is run in future, the Supporters Trust MUST said.

The Premier League club’s US owners are looking at options for the 20-time English champions, including new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the Glazer family bought the club.

“Our club needs new investment more than ever. That requires new ownership,” MUST, the leading fan group, said in a statement responding to news that some said would feel like winning a title if the owners left.

“Any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.”

The news triggered jubilation and trepidation in chatrooms and fan forums at what the future might hold.