Manchester United fans used the club’s final home game of the Premier League season as another opportunity to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club.
Thousands of supporters took part in a peaceful protest prior to kick-off, while some left their seats after 73 minutes as part of a pre-planned walkout, organised by “The 1958” group.
The walkout took place 17 minutes before the end of the game to signify each year of the Glazer’s ownership which dates back to 2005. A banner encouraging fans to leave after 73 minutes was also visible in the stands.
A post from @The_1958 on Twitter read: “We urge all United fans to leave their seat on the 73rd minute. One minute for every year these parasites have drained our once great club. This game will have a worldwide TV audience and the message will be powerful.”
Share, retweet, let’s get the message to all Reds! ????????
— The 1958 (@The__1958) April 30, 2022
Brentford Protest meet at the Trinity Statue 7pm
On the 73rd minute we walk out.
Remember Lovewill always beat Greed ????
Keep Believing#GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/c0Qo9xn0wR
The group also urged fans to protest “peacefully and legally”.
Shortly after Cristiano Ronaldo had doubled United’s advantage from the penalty spot – after Bruno Fernandes had given them a first-half lead – fans chanted “we want the Glazers out” and they did so again when Raphael Varane made it 3-0 just before the protest was scheduled to begin.
Perhaps the scoreline had a bearing on the number of people who left early as there were perhaps fewer dissenters than had been anticipated.
As fans made their way to the turnstiles, Sky Sports commentator Bill Leslie said: “Things are going well on the pitch but of course, there’s this backdrop of dissatisfaction off it that you might have seen in the last couple of home games when sections of the supporters have been coming in after 17 minutes.
“And in this the final home game, they are looking for contingents to leave 17 minutes before the end, that’s the territory we’re in now.
“They don’t seem to be flocking to the exits as I take a look around.”
Leslie’s co-commentator Gary Neville responded: “No they’re all standing there thinking this is a pretty rare occurrence we’re playing well! They would have left after 63 minutes some weeks.”
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Dissent against the family has been ramped up considerably over the past year, however, in response to their involvement in the detested European Super League plot last April.
United were one of 12 clubs to sign up to the doomed proposal, only to backtrack following a vociferous backlash from supporters.
As is customary at the end of the season, the players embarked on a “lap of appreciation” to thank the fans for their support following a desperately disappointing season. Injured club captain Harry Maguire, who has been heavily criticised for his form joined his teammates on the pitch.
Despite fears that it may spark an angry reaction from disgruntled fans, the gesture took place quickly and without anything but polite applause from supporters.
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