Manchester United Fans Plan Protest Against Club Ownership
In a move that underscores the growing discontent among Manchester United supporters, one of the club’s most prominent fan groups, “The 1958,” has called for a symbolic protest during the upcoming match against Arsenal at Old Trafford. The group is urging fans to don black attire as a sign of mourning for what they describe as a “dying club.” This protest is aimed squarely at the Glazer family’s ownership, which has been a point of contention for many years.
The call to action comes amid a backdrop of financial instability and a disappointing Premier League season. “The 1958” released a statement on Tuesday, encouraging fans to participate in a pre-match march to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs at the club. The statement highlights the financial challenges facing Manchester United, including a net loss of $144 million for the 2023-24 season and a compensation bill of £14.5 million ($18.2m) paid to former manager Erik ten Hag, his coaching staff, and former sporting director Dan Ashworth following their dismissals.
Adding to the financial woes, the club’s debt interest payments over the last six months have amounted to £18.8m. These figures paint a grim picture of the club’s financial health, which has been further strained by cost-cutting measures and fundraising efforts since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group acquired a 27.7% minority share in February of the previous year. Among these measures are the controversial decision to set all ticket prices at £66, regardless of age, and two rounds of redundancies.
Ruben Amorim, who took over managerial duties from Ten Hag in October, has yet to reverse the team’s fortunes. The latest setback came in the form of a penalty-shootout defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup, further fueling fan frustration.
Steve Crompton, a representative of “The 1958,” expressed the group’s concerns in a statement: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model. The club is facing financial armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin. Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world’s greatest football institutions, which is being brought to its knees and in many ways becoming a laughing stock.”
The statement continued, “The club is going backwards, and it’s likely to get even worse. We urge fans to rise up, unite, and join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday as we march to the ground and protest against the despised Glazers and the club’s deliberate assault on fan culture.”
Manchester United has been under the control of the Glazer family since a leveraged buyout in May 2005, which saddled the club with more than £500m in debt. The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have faced opposition from United supporters since the acquisition, primarily due to the financial burden it placed on the previously debt-free club.
This upcoming protest will mark the second consecutive week of fan demonstrations at Old Trafford. Last week, United fans participated in the Football Supporters Association’s “Stop Exploiting Loyalty” campaign, which targeted ticket prices during the match against Fulham.
- Manchester United’s financial struggles include a net loss of $144 million for the 2023-24 season.
- The club paid £14.5 million ($18.2m) in compensation to former staff this season.
- Debt interest payments over the last six months totaled £18.8m.
- INEOS group’s minority share purchase led to cost-cutting measures, including ticket price hikes and redundancies.
As the club continues to grapple with these challenges, the upcoming protest serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated frustrations among Manchester United’s loyal fanbase. Whether this demonstration will lead to any tangible changes remains to be seen, but it certainly highlights the passionate and unwavering support of the club’s fans, who are determined to see their beloved team return to its former glory.
Originally Written by: ESPN
