During the march toward Old Trafford, a group of protesters donned clown masks to voice their displeasure with the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, likening the management of Manchester United to a circus, according to the 1958 fan group.
Since acquiring a controlling stake in the Red Devils in 2005, the Glazers have been met with fan outrage, prompting the supporters’ group to initiate various protests against the American owners over the years.
On Sunday, the 1958 organized another demonstration against the ownership ahead of the Premier League match against Fulham, targeting Ratcliffe, who became co-owner in February 2024, as tensions escalated.
This week, the group criticized United’s situation as “being dragged through chaos by clown ownership” and described the club’s management as a circus, a sentiment underscored by protesters wearing clown masks.
Chanting against the owners, fans held up banners while flares filled the air, as the demonstrators marched along Sir Matt Busby Way to the forecourt.
According to Greater Manchester Police, there were between 500 and 600 protesters, and no arrests were reported.
Steve Crompton, a spokesperson for the 1958, told the Press Association: “This protest is focused on the partnership between Ineos and the Glazers, which I believe is not working.”
“While the last two matches have shown improvement on the pitch, our focus has never solely been about what happens in the game.”
Since joining the ownership, Ratcliffe has implemented several controversial changes, particularly concerning ticket pricing and availability, which have angered many United fans.
“We want our football club back,” Crompton stated. “Everything that has unfolded is unacceptable.”
“We have over 95,000 members, with about half being matchgoing fans, and the situation for them has become untenable.”
“For the upcoming Villa game, tickets are being sold throughout the stadium for a minimum of £300 as hospitality packages. There are no standard tickets available for members, making it impossible for fans to attend matches.”
“This situation detracts from the vibrant atmosphere we strive for in the stadium, which is driven by genuine fans.”
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Entering the game against Fulham, United was riding high after victories against Manchester City and Arsenal in Michael Carrick’s first two matches in charge.
The 1958 announced this protest 24 days in advance, shortly after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, emphasizing that the demonstration transcends on-field performance.
“Our support is unwavering, regardless of the manager or players,” Crompton remarked. “We’ll stand by them through tough times, and it’s been tough for quite a while.”
“But we cannot continue to let supporters who wish to back the team be exploited for profit, which is the current reality.”