Protests Erupt at Manchester United over Ownership Issues

A number of protesters donned clown masks as fans marched towards Old Trafford, voicing their discontent with the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe for what the 1958 fan group described as a circus-like management of Manchester United.

Since acquiring a controlling stake in the club in a controversial move in 2005, the Glazers have faced mounting anger from fans, leading to a series of protests organized by supporters in recent years. The 1958 group spearheaded another demonstration against ownership ahead of the Premier League match against Fulham on Sunday, where Ratcliffe, who became co-owner in February 2024, was also a target of their grievances.

This week, the group asserted that Manchester United is “being dragged through chaos by clown ownership” and described its management as being “run like a circus,” a sentiment underscored by many members wearing clown masks during the protest.

Chants against the owners filled the air as protesters held banners and smoke from flares enveloped the march down Sir Matt Busby Way towards the club’s forecourt. Greater Manchester Police reported that between 500 and 600 protesters participated, with no arrests made during the demonstration.

Steve Crompton, a spokesperson for the 1958 group, spoke to the Press Association, stating, “This protest is now centered around this partnership with Ineos and the Glazers, which, frankly, isn’t working. The last two games have been promising, and there’s been an upturn in performance on the pitch, but our concerns extend beyond that.”

Ratcliffe has implemented several contentious changes since joining the ownership, notably concerning ticket pricing and availability, which have further fueled fan discontent.

Crompton emphasized, “We want our football club back. Our membership exceeds 95,000, with over 50% being matchgoing fans. The current situation is becoming untenable. Fans are increasingly priced out of attending games. I checked tickets for the Villa game today, and the minimum price is £300 for hospitality, with no standard tickets available for members. How can fans afford to attend anymore? This trend undermines the vibrant atmosphere we seek to cultivate in the stadium.”

Prior to the Fulham match, Manchester United was buoyed by recent victories against Manchester City and Arsenal in Michael Carrick’s first two games as manager. The 1958 group had announced this protest 24 days prior, shortly after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, reiterating that their concerns extend beyond on-field performance.

Crompton concluded, “This protest is not about the manager or the players. We will support them through thick and thin, and let’s be honest, it has been quite challenging for some time. We will always back the team as dedicated supporters. However, we must not allow the desire for quick profits to penalize those fans who genuinely want to support the team.”