Whenever there is a struggle for power, chaos often reigns supreme as rival factions vie to be heard, all believing they know how to bring down the abhorred regime best.
While Manchester United fans are unified in their desire to be rid of the club’s owners, the Glazer family, which method will be most effective in persuading their absent overlords to leave is a matter of contention.
Supporter groups have traded insults (online), called each other out and doubted the methods of the other in going about pressuring the Glazers into selling up.
Underground fan group The 1958 are a new, vociferous group, who have staged two protests before matches this season, with banners demanding they “get their club back” brandished outside the director’s entrance.
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Plans are afoot for a walkout, publicised with the accompanying #EmptyOldTrafford hashtag, during Monday’s clash with Liverpool, to make a visible statement of discontent.
“A fish rots from the head” the group said in a statement this week announcing their protest plans, remaining nameless and faceless.
Yet, not everyone approves.
“We are not behind Monday’s planned walkout,” Ian Stirling, independent supporter liaison officer of Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) tells i. “Even if 10,000 fans leave Old Trafford, which I don’t think they will, it still won’t look empty. They [The 1958] are asking for fans without tickets to turn up and protest. My guess is what they are organising is arranged by people who have never even been to Old Trafford.”
No complacency! This is not over!
— The 1958 (@The__1958) August 17, 2022
It’s time to push hard to the finish line!
Monday we expect large numbers.
This is a chance for every United fan to be on the right side of history. Do not let this pass!
Time to unite and put all differences aside.
Lets get our club backpic.twitter.com/Uth77nTQk3
The animosity between the pair has been there since The 1958 emerged. “We have a supporters’ trust that have failed in their intentions,” The 1958 said in a statement in May. “Appeased by a chair at the boardroom table. Pacified by the hope of a fans share option and one conversation with the owners on the fans’ forum. They need to show their hand.”
It has taken an edge off the excitement among some sections of supporters as light emerges at the end of the tunnel, creating a bitterness towards MUST, despite their intentions remaining equal.
“The 1958 have done more in just a few months than MUST in 17 years (of the Glazer ownership), read one widely-shared post, with plenty calling for the pair to “join forces”. MUST members have been keen to point out they are not “against” The 1958.
Fans protested en masse at Liverpool’s visit last year, storming the pitch to ensure the match was postponed. MUST were heavily involved in that, bringing an organised element to it.
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“The Glazers have seen off protests before,” Stirling adds. “The green and gold movement 10 years ago was one of the most visible shows of protests against ownership football has ever seen. They can do it again.”
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