Ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday, thousands of fans took to the streets to protest the club’s ownership under the Glazer family. The protestors voiced concerns that the 20-time English champions were “slowly dying before our eyes” due to the Glazers’ management. The marchers carried banners and flags calling for a change in ownership, with messages such as “We want our club back” and “Fight For United – Fight Glazer,” and chanted against both the Glazers and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The demonstration ended at Old Trafford just before the match began, marking the largest protest against the Glazers since the infamous May 2021 Premier League fixture against Liverpool. That game was abandoned when over 200 fans breached the stadium, protesting during a period when all matches were held behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have held control of United since their leveraged buyout in May 2005, which saddled the club with over £500 million ($646 million) in debt.
In February 2024, Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group acquired a 27.7% stake in the club and assumed responsibility for its daily operations. However, despite facing some backlash from fans, Ratcliffe has not been the focal point of the anger, which continues to target the Glazers, who are adamant about holding onto their controlling stake. Steve Crompton, a representative from the fan group The 1958, expressed in a statement, “The club is gradually deteriorating both on and off the pitch, and the current ownership model is to blame. We’re on the brink of financial disaster, with debt driving us toward ruin.”
He added, “Our voices matter. Our community matters. Our club matters. Now, more than ever, we must come together to fight for what’s right. The problem at our club has always been clear.” United manager Ruben Amorim voiced his support for the protest when questioned about it following Thursday’s Europa League match against Real Sociedad. “People have the right to protest,” said Amorim. “It’s a good thing. It’s part of our club, and everyone should have a voice.”
