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The protest took place this afternoon before the Premier League match against Fulham
Manchester United fans protesting against the Glazer, Ineos, Ratcliffe ownership of their club .(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Manchester United fans, led by The 1958 supporters' group, held a large protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos, and the Glazer family's ownership before the Premier League match against Fulham. The march began at two locations, Sir Matt Busby Way and Hotel Football, before converging at The Trinity Statue outside Old Trafford.
The protest was motivated by dissatisfaction with the treatment of match-going supporters, including issues with ticket prices and the handling of lifelong season ticket holders. Despite recent improvements in results under Michael Carrick, The 1958 emphasized that their grievances are focused on club ownership, not on-field performance.
Earlier in the season, plans for protests were delayed due to limited support, but frustration has grown among fans, particularly over INEOS's policies and the lack of meaningful change. The announcement of a new 100,000-seater stadium has not satisfied protestors, who see it as a distraction from deeper issues.
Thousands of fans participated in the peaceful march, filling Sir Matt Busby Way with smoke, banners, and chants against Ratcliffe and the Glazers. The crowd gathered outside the main East Stand and the United Megastore, where shutters were brought down as a precaution.
Police and stewards were present to maintain order, but the demonstration remained peaceful with no visible trouble. Pyrotechnics and loud chants created a charged atmosphere as fans demanded change.
The 1958 released a statement accusing Ratcliffe of enabling the Glazers to remain in control and criticized 21 years of what they called mismanagement and financial greed. They argued that the club's ownership model has led to repeated cycles of false hope and disappointment.
Michael Carrick, United's head coach, expressed respect for the supporters' right to protest and stated that neither he nor the players were offended by the demonstration. He emphasized the strong connection between the team and the fans, hoping it would continue despite the unrest.
Organizers expected more than 6,000 supporters to attend, making it potentially the largest protest against Manchester United’s owners to date and the first to officially target Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The 1958 accused the club's leadership of trying to dilute fan culture and erase the legacy of generations of United supporters.