Those at the top of Manchester United are attracting increasing calls for change, with the supporters group announcing a new protest.
Manchester United’s game against Manchester City provides an opportunity for Michael Carrick’s side to send a message to the league although issues off the field are dominating the focus currently.
Red Devils supporters, united in their opposition to both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe (the club’s joint-owners currently), have already announced protests against the owners for tomorrow’s game.
Further protests have now been announced, with The Red Army taking to their official X account to announce their actions ahead of the game.
Writing on the social media platform, the supporters group said: “On Sunday there will be no flag display on The Stretford End. In its place, a single banner will hang above the players’ tunnel with a clear message to the owners, directors and decision-making staff at Manchester United:
“THE WAY YOU TREAT US IS A DISGRACE”
“This isn’t a ‘TRA’ message, it’s a message on behalf of every genuine fan group, match-going supporter, supporters’ club and fan representative who has either contacted us directly or been negatively impacted by the recent behaviour of The Club.
“It’s an honest, heartfelt cry for recognition from the maligned, vilified, and misrepresented beating heart of our football club – the generational match-going supporters.
“Neither is this solely a ‘Manchester United’ problem, this is a league-wide crisis that should be addressed at every club, regardless of rivalries and history.
“Without drastic changes, there will be no rivalries in the future vision for football shared by the decision makers.
“Whilst we still advocate for a change in ownership, we believe that there should be a realistic roadmap for any protest if it is to act as a catalyst for change.
Match-going supporters should be prioritised over all others within the Club’s Fan Engagement model and all aspects of the Fans’ Forum process should be reviewed & improved to ensure that its fit for purpose.
“Dedicated fan representation that engages openly and regularly with the match-going supporters and proactively fights to ensure that they are treated as a priority by The Club is essential.
“Unless our generational match-going support is given a real voice that is actually listened to, the little that remains of our fan culture will soon be gone forever.
TRA [The Red Army] aren’t a protest group, we’re an ‘atmosphere’ group but we’ve never shied away from making our position clear when we believe not doing so would be to the detriment of the interests of match-going supporters.
“We hope that you’ll understand and support our decision and that those of you who are asking for meaningful change and are able to help will stand up and be counted when called upon in the near future.
“Until then, we’ll continue to fully back and support the players and manager throughout, starting with the derby on Sunday.”
Whilst six players are set to be out for game injured on the field, United supporters off the field are making their voices heard.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has attracted large amounts of negative publicity for his comments on immigration in the United Kingdom alongside his decision to move season ticket holders in order to make more space for hospitality seating.
Those decisions, which have proved increasingly unpopular with Manchester United supporters, have forced the co-owner to have extra security on match-days at Old Trafford his safety.
With new protests taking place, United supporters are sending a clear message to those at the top of the club: things must change and must change quickly.
Whether those with the power to take that change act remains unclear although it appears that the longer those at the top ignore messages from supporters, the louder the cries for change grow.
On Sunday there will be no flag display on The Stretford End. In its place, a single banner will hang above the players’ tunnel with a clear message to the owners, directors and decision-making staff at Manchester United:
“THE WAY YOU TREAT US IS A DISGRACE”
This isn’t a ‘TRA’… pic.twitter.com/sIEfDmzzRq