March 10 – Thousands of Manchester United fans joined the biggest protest demonstration against the club’s ownership since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a near 30% stake 13 months ago before Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
The defiant scenes were reminiscent of those before a game against Liverpool at Old Trafford in August 2022 when around 5,000 supporters joined a near mile-long march in protest against the Glazer family.
This time, flares were set off and banners paraded as fans directed angry and abusive songs towards United co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer and Ratcliffe.
Shutters to the directors’ entrance at Old Trafford had to be closed on security grounds as thousands stood in unity ahead of the 1-1 draw that left United in 14th position in the table.
‘We want Glazers out’ and ‘Love United and Hate Glazer’ were sung amid a series of more unsavoury chants aimed at the reviled Americans. Fans young and old came together and Ratcliffe also copped abuse for the introduction of a £66 ticket for members with no concessions.
Steve Crompton, of The 1958 – the fans’ group behind the protests – said: “We are a debt-ridden football club. These fans won’t put up with the way the football club are treating us. This club is on its knees, the Glazers have put us there and Ratcliffe isn’t helping. This is to both of them.
“These fans are so committed and passionate to Manchester United. These are the people who are here week in week out, that kid on his dad’s shoulders – that’s what it’s all about. We are fighting for the future of our football club.
“These fans are angry, they hate what’s happening to our football club. This is a community that’s come out today to tell the Glazers and Ratcliffe that we’re not messing about.”
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