Manchester United will host Aston Villa on Sunday and bring to an end what's been their worst season in Premier League history, with the Red Devils potentially dropping down to 17th place
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BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Co-Chairman of Manchester United Avram Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe Sir Alex Ferguson attend the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames Stadium on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Co-Chairman of Manchester United Avram Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe Sir Alex Ferguson attend the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames Stadium on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in Bilbao for Wednesday's Europa League final(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Under-fire Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unlikely to attend their final-day clash with Aston Villa on Sunday. Protests against Ratcliffe and the Glazer family's running of the club have been confirmed, as angry supporters prepare to voice their dismay.
Ratcliffe, who owns 28.94 per cent of the Premier League giants, was in Bilbao on Wednesday to watch United lose the Europa League final 1-0 against Tottenham. The result makes Ratcliffe's job much harder, as the Red Devils won't receive money from playing in Europe next season.
That's mainly down to United having their worst ever Premier League season. A defeat to Villa, who are chasing Champions League football, could see Ruben Amorim's side drop from 16th to 17th, the place directly above the relegation zone.
Ratcliffe isn't expected to be watching at Old Trafford, though, as reported by the Mail. Supporters are planning to stage a protest march to Old Trafford ahead of kick-off, something which has been seen multiple times this season.
Ratcliffe has personally witnessed protests throughout the season, with fans regularly unfurling banners and chanting in front of the directors' box. The messages have been centred around supporters being shifted from their long-time seats in favour of corporate tickets next season.
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Greater Manchester United Police have been working alongside United and will monitor the protest. Earlier this month, a statement from supporters group The 1958 read: "Our final home game of the season is against Aston Villa. We march, as one fanbase, to make it clear - 20 years on, the fire still burns red, with fury and defiance. We protest, once again, at Villa.
"May 2005 marked one of the darkest days in the history of Manchester United Football Club. The Glazer family became majority shareholders, triggering a compulsory takeover that was completed on 29th June 2005.
"That moment signalled the beginning of the end for the soul and community of our once-great club - sacrificed at the altar of corporate greed. Sir Alex Ferguson, a staunch supporter of the Glazers then and now, masked the damage with unprecedented success on the pitch.
"Since his retirement, the rot beneath has been laid bare for all to see - the true cost of 20 years of financial exploitation and mismanagement. The club is drowning in over a billion pounds of debt. Our fanbase is fractured and divided, our stadium neglected - down to Glazer greed and betrayal.
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BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, minority shareholder of Manchester United and CEO of INEOS (L), and Avram Glazer, Owner of Manchester United (R), look on prior to the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unlikely to be at Old Trafford on Sunday
"Hundreds of millions have been siphoned off to service that debt - not by the Glazers, but by our club. All while the Glazers continue to pocket dividends, year after year, regardless of failure on the pitch. Old Trafford, once the Theatre of Dreams, is crumbling from decades of neglect. They've taken everything.
"Now, even Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival has come at the cost of hundreds of jobs, further punishing a fanbase already suffering under the Glazers' reign. Lifelong, loyal supporters are being driven away from the club they love - priced out and pushed aside.
"Another dagger in the heart of our footballing community. We want the Glazers out of our club. They were never welcome. They are not welcome now. They will never be welcome."
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