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Manchester United associate fan groups The 1958 and The Red Army led a high-profile protest ahead of their club’s derby against Manchester City on Sunday.
The protest and pitchside banners have drawn renewed attention on their club’s approach to banning supporters for allegedly breaching season ticket terms and conditions. Many supporters say they have been wrongly accused of touting and unfairly treated.
The club has previously acknowledged that “some fans may have felt they were being treated unfairly” but its ticket policy and communications ahead of last week’s Champions League game against Azerbaijani’s Sabah inflamed the situation.
Season ticket holders who had opted into the club’s longstanding automatic cup scheme were told “your ST will be deactivated for a future PL game and it may impact your away eligibility” if they did not purchase a ticket for the midweek fixture.
The Red Army withdrew its usual flag display on Sunday and replaced it with a banner reading “THE WAY YOU TREAT US IS A DISGRACE”. A statement on X/Twitter criticised the club’s approach to supporter engagement.
The 1958 group thanked all fans who attended the march and said they were: “Protecting the culture. Protect the traditions. Protect the matchgoing fan. Protect what is left for the next generation.”
🗣️WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
To every Red who turned up yesterday, thank you.
You gave your time, your voice and your support. Nobody at The 1958 takes that for granted. Whatever this club does to eradicate the time served match going Red. You know you have been on the right… pic.twitter.com/7wfR812sSo
— The 1958 (@The__1958) September 14, 2026
This sentiment resonates strongly with the FSA’s #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign which makes clear that the traditions, values and supporter culture that have made English football the envy of the world are under threat from escalating ticket prices, commercialisation and corporate greed.
We would encourage all supporters to get involved with that campaign via their own local fan organisations. You can read more about that via the #StopExploitingLoyalty Blueprint.