Angry Man United fans in ownership protest before EPL game

MANCHESTER, England –

Hundreds of Manchester United followers offended on the path of the membership beneath its American homeowners took half in a protest forward of the Premier League sport towards Liverpool on Monday.

The supporters chanted towards the Glazer household – “We would like Glazers out” – and held banners calling for the People to promote United as they walked from a close-by pub to the membership’s storied Previous Trafford stadium throughout the hour earlier than kickoff of one of many largest matches in English soccer, which United gained 2-1 for its first factors of the season.

Many supporters across the floor had been carrying green-and-gold scarves – the colours of the membership’s 1878 formation – and a few additionally set off flares. There seemed to be a strong police presence on Sir Matt Busby Manner on the entrance to the stadium forecourt.

The gamers from each groups, together with United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, arrived on the floor earlier than the protest began.

Discontent has soared following United’s poor begin to the season, which has seen the staff lose each of its video games – 2-1 at dwelling to Brighton and a 4-0 humiliation at Brentford.

The goal of nearly all of the anger is the Glazer household, which purchased United in 2005 with a leveraged takeover that loaded debt onto a membership which beforehand did not have any. Critics say the Glazers, who additionally personal the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have failed to take a position sufficient of their very own money within the squad or amenities and have presided over years of failure by England’s largest staff.

Funds on curiosity, debt and dividends to the Glazers are estimated to have price United greater than 1 billion kilos.

“They’re ruining the historical past, traditions and tradition of our nice membership and (we) is not going to stand by and watch our membership rot away any longer,” mentioned The 1958, a followers’ group that organized Monday’s protest.

Dissent towards the possession, which has simmered because the 2005 takeover, erupted in Might final 12 months when a house league sport towards Liverpool needed to be referred to as off after the stadium – empty due to pandemic restrictions – was stormed earlier than the sport and hundreds extra supporters blocked entry into Previous Trafford. Two law enforcement officials had been injured in clashes with followers.

That protest was sparked by the membership’s involvement within the failed European Tremendous League breakaway that collapsed amid a groundswell of condemnation from followers and the British authorities.

The Glazers pledged to rebuild belief with United followers within the wake of that protest however there was little proof of that. Joel Glazer, a co-chairman, met in individual with United followers in June 2021 and outlined his intentions to take a position closely in all facets of the membership and strengthen fan illustration within the decision-making course of.

Final week, Jim Ratcliffe, the bulk shareholder of chemical group Ineos and considered one of Britain’s richest individuals, expressed an curiosity in shopping for United, quickly after Elon Musk tweeted – jokingly, because it turned out – that he wished to do the identical.

The newest protest appeared to move off with none main incident, although some gadgets had been thrown towards Liverpool’s staff bus because it arrived at Previous Trafford.

United gained the final of its report 20 English league titles in 2013, the 12 months managerial nice Alex Ferguson retired. In recent times, two of United’s largest rivals, Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool, have dominated the home sport.

United hasn’t gained a serious trophy in 5 seasons, its worst run because the early Eighties, regardless of the membership having spent $1.5 billion on gamers since 2013.

United’s newest signing, Brazil midfielder Casemiro, arrived at Previous Trafford earlier Monday forward of the Liverpool match and was launched to followers on the sphere earlier than kickoff as his switch was being confirmed by the membership. He’s reportedly costing $60 million, with the membership scrambling to herald gamers within the ultimate days of the switch window.

This season has began badly, too, beneath Erik ten Hag, its fifth supervisor since Ferguson. There are already query marks over the Dutch coach’s ways and staff choice.

The way forward for star striker Ronaldo can also be unsure after he pushed to go away throughout the offseason as a result of United did not qualify for the Champions League.

Ronaldo was dropped to the bench towards Liverpool, together with membership captain Harry Maguire.

The adjustments had been validated, with United delivering a efficiency of depth and sealing victory due to targets by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.