The 38-year-old son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm needed to be escorted away from the ground in a police van on Wednesday night as angry fans vented their frustration at the American's 790-million-pound (1.17-billion-euro) purchase of the club.

Almost constantly vilified for the past 18 months by the biggest United fans' groups, Glazer finally spoke out in a 35-minute interview with the Red Devils' in-house television station MUTV last night, and urged the silent majority to give them a chance to prove the club are in safe hands.

"The vilification goes with the territory," he said.

"If you are not prepared for it, you should not get involved. But the passion is part of the attraction. It is frustrating and tough but it has not put us off, it has just made us even more aware of the awesome responsibility that is involved here.

"You would just hope that people give us a chance and not make a judgement on what has happened today or the last several months.

"I know what we are going to do in the future and I have confidence and faith in what I am saying. But there are many people who do not know me and the only way I can back up my words is with actions and actions take time.

"We understand the high expectations at this club and we have the utmost respect for the history and traditions of Manchester United. If people are patient and give us that time, we are satisfied and confident they will be proud of our ownership."

While Glazer covered a wide range of topics, rejecting outright he has any plan to either sell and lease back Old Trafford, change the United badge, scrap the collective Premier League TV bargaining agreement, limit Alex Ferguson's transfer spending or axe Sir Bobby Charlton from his position on the board, there was no answer to the question fans want answering most of all, namely how the Glazers intend to pay off the 500-million-pound debt they have incurred buying the club.

Instead, Joel emphasised the 270 million pounds of his family's own fortune had been ploughed into the venture, proof enough, he claimed, of their determination to succeed.

"We would not have got involved with Manchester United if we did not feel that, under our ownership, the club could continue to be the great club it has been," he said.

"A lot of businesses have debt. Debt can mean different things to different people.

"But our family has personally invested over 270 million pounds. I can assure everyone the structure that was put in place is a structure we are extremely comfortable with.

"The fans should not worry about some of the crazy stuff that has been portrayed."

In a slick appearance, which emphasised the enthusiasm Glazer has for the challenge, he did concede the fans would be facing higher ticket prices in the future, although maybe not by as much as some had feared.

"Ticket prices are never a good situation in sports these days," he said. "Unfortunately, they continue to rise. But I will say this much - this club's ticket prices will always be competitive with other ticket prices in the Premier League.

"If you out-price supporters, you have lost the lifeblood of the club. We are very sensitive about that and take it very seriously.

"There was a price increase this year which happened before we even got involved, so we are mindful of that and what supporters can and cannot do. The game has to remain affordable for everybody."