“All football fans should unite today behind what Manchester United fans have done, because what happened two weeks ago was really dangerous for English football.”
So said Gary Neville after Manchester United fans successfully stormed the Old Trafford pitch in May 2021, forcing the postponement of their game with Liverpool, hours before kick off.
That day they were protesting against club owners the Glazer family, who had not only embarrassed their supporters by backing the European Super League scheme two weeks prior, but who have been taking money out of the club through dividends while reversing debt into the institution, with United paying tens of millions a year in interest payments.
Enough was enough. Things had to change. One year on and those same supporters who protested outside (and inside) the ground against the ownership of one of the world’s most successful football clubs are back again tonight. Nothing has changed.
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The only problem is, there is no unity in how they achieve this. Some are calling for a boycott of games, others for walking out midway through Monday’s fixture, and some would love to storm the pitch again.
Why are Man Utd fans protesting?
The crux of tonight’s protest – however it plays out – is the Glazers’ ownership. Since taking over the club 17 years ago, the American family has taken £1.1bn out of the club, including £743m in interest payments on the debt they raised to buy the club in the first place.
The Glazers have also paid themselves a cool £133m in dividend payments over the past decade – a period during which United have steadily fallen down English football’s pecking order.
Yet money isn’t the only issue. Fans are also protesting from the severe lack of direction within the club, which they believe has effectively stood still since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
United have won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League since Ferguson stepped down. But bar one season under Jose Mourinho they’ve been nowhere near close to challenging for the Premier League title or the Champions League – and they’ve spent £1bn on players in the process.
The in-stadium experience feels stale too. A severe lack of investment in Old Trafford has resulted in leaks and cracks surfacing across the ground. Neville branded it “rusting and rotten” 15 months ago.
All the while, rivals Liverpool and Manchester City are duking it out for trophies, Tottenham and Arsenal have shiny new stadiums, and Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly appears to be as loose with his chequebook as Roman Abramovich before him.
Suggestions the Glazers could sell up have circled this week, with billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe hinting he could be interested in buying a minority stake.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) issued a cautious statement. “Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture, ethos and best traditions of the club,” they said.
“They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium.”
What protests do Man Utd fans have planned?
It’s no surprise United supporters gathering at Old Trafford on Monday seeking to make their voices heard.
The group calling themselves “The 1958” want to stage a mass walkout. MUST, who told i over the weekend that “we are not behind Monday’s planned walkout”, say they are supportive of it, even if they are “sceptical” on how effective that will be.
The 1958 will begin its protest from The Tollgate pub (fans with tickets are only permitted entry) from 6.30pm. They will then march to Warwick Road and up to Old Trafford, congregating at the Trinity Statue. The group has requested fans be respectful, requesting “no flares or smoke bombs” in the pub, and not to climb the statue.
In a statement, the group said: “Bring the heat, bring the noise, bring the passion. Keep it legal, keep it peaceful and look after each other.”
For the love.
— The 1958 (@The__1958) August 22, 2022
For the passion.
For each other.
For past generations.
For the next generation.
For our United.
Today we make it count
Tollgate 7pm we march. Form behind the 58 flag & new banner. pic.twitter.com/RKBGm11x2W
Club prepares for expected protests
The concern for security staff, meanwhile, is about avoiding a repeat of the May 2021 home game with Liverpool, where fans stormed the field and forced its postponement. It was a severe security breach that could have caused serious harm.
There is expected to be a greater security presence both in and outside Old Trafford than previous said fixture with Liverpool, which took place behind closed doors due to Covid-19. A storming of the pitch isn’t in the plans of any official supporters’ group.
However, United have emailed season ticket holders urging them to “arrive as early as possible” with gates opening at 6pm, “to avoid any delays entering the stadium”.
The club have also cancelled the team’s pre-match meeting at the Lowry Hotel in Salford amid security concerns. The decision was made after a small number of fans began gathering outside the hotel early this afternoon.
TV viewers can expect the Sky Sports cameras to linger on protest banners within the stadium on Monday.
And Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool should be awarded the three points if Monday’s clash is abandoned due to the protests.
“I really hope it will not happen but if it does happen, I think we should get the points,” Klopp said.
“We have nothing to do with the situation and if the supporters want the game not happening, then we cannot just rearrange the game again and fit it in somewhere in an incredibly busy season.
“I have no idea what could happen and I don’t think about it. People tell us we are fine, we go there and play the game hopefully and go home.
“But in a situation like this always the other team should get the points because they have nothing to do with it and they have prepared for it.”
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