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Glazer vows to back Fergie
American owners insist they remain committed to the club long-term

The Glazer family have reassured Manchester United supporters that they are committed to the club on a long-term basis.

Scepticism was rife when the Glazers took control at Old Trafford, with the Americans receiving a less than rapturous reception by large sections of the club's supporters.

The suggestion was that they were only investing for short-term gain but on the contrary, their regime thus far has seen Sir Alex Ferguson backed to the hilt.

An eye-catching summer of spending saw Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez all lured to Manchester.

Joel Glazer admits that the atmosphere in and around the ground is infectious and he insists Ferguson will continue to receive his family's full support.

"Sir Alex Ferguson will be given all the resources to compete at the highest level possible," Glazer told the People.

"When you're around this club, the heritage, the history - when you're walking around Old Trafford, it's an incredible feeling.

"But with it comes a lot of responsibility and we take that very seriously.

"Manchester United are one of the few truly global sports teams in the world.

"We have a global fan base of around 140 million. It's the only club we were ever interested in."

Owen back for England

ENGLAND have received a further boost ahead of Wednesday's clash with Croatia - with the news that Owen Hargreaves is available.

The Manchester United midfielder was ruled out of Friday's 1-0 win against Austria following further problems with his knee.

Hargreaves has struggled with tendinitis all season and stayed back in Manchester while his international team-mates flew out for the friendly.

But will meet back up with Steve McClaren's squad for the crucial final Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.

Darren Bent has also been called up after Michael Owen was ruled out with a thigh strain.

McClaren has told his players they must not blow the lifeline they've been given by Israel's 2-1 win against Russia.

England now need only a point to qualify and the manager said: "What is really important is that we get the job done on Wednesday night.

"I know we have made life difficult for ourselves by dropping points early on in the group - but we have played a lot better in the second half of the campaign, which is why I am convinced the players will do their job.

"It is back in our own hands now and we really need the whole country to get right behind the team over the next few days.

"We have to get the result on the pitch on Wednesday night, while we really want the fans to generate a really big Wembley atmosphere, just as they did against Russia."