Supporters Demand Change as Club’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Thousands of passionate Manchester United fans took to the streets on Sunday in a powerful protest against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal. Demonstrators voiced their frustration, claiming the 20-time English champions are “slowly dying before our eyes” under the current ownership.
The march, which culminated outside Old Trafford just before kick-off, saw fans chanting slogans against the Glazers and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Banners and flags carried messages like “We want our club back” and “Fight For United – Fight Glazer,” reflecting the deep-seated anger over the club’s direction. This protest marked the most significant show of dissent since the infamous 2021 demonstration against Liverpool, which led to the match being postponed after fans stormed the stadium during COVID-19 restrictions.
The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have faced widespread criticism since their leveraged takeover of United in 2005. The deal saddled the club with over £500 million ($646 million) in debt, a financial burden that continues to haunt the team. While Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group acquired a 27.7% stake in February 2024 and has taken over daily operations, fans remain furious with the Glazers, who refuse to relinquish their controlling share.
Steve Crompton, a spokesperson for the fans’ group The 1958, expressed the growing despair among supporters. “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model,” he said. “The club is facing financial armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin. Our voices matter. Our community matters. Our club matters. Now, more than ever, we must come together to fight for what is right.”
United head coach Ruben Amorim also weighed in, offering his support for the fans’ right to protest. Speaking after Thursday’s Europa League draw against Real Sociedad, Amorim said, “People have the right to protest. I think it’s a good thing to do that. It’s part of our club. Everybody has a voice.”
As the protest echoed through the streets of Manchester, the message was clear: United’s loyal fanbase is determined to reclaim the soul of their beloved club. With the Glazers showing no signs of stepping aside, the battle for the future of one of football’s most iconic institutions shows no sign of ending.
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