Thousands of Manchester United followers took half in a protest forward of Monday’s Premier League sport in opposition to Liverpool, angered on the membership’s route beneath their American homeowners.
Supporters raised slogans in opposition to the Glazer household – “We want Glazers out” – and known as on Americans to promote United from a close-by pub on the membership’s outdated Old Trafford Stadium throughout the hour earlier than kickoff of one of many largest matches. He was holding a banner. in English soccer, which United gained 2–1 for his or her first level of the season.
Many supporters across the subject had been carrying inexperienced and gold scarves – the colours of the membership’s 1878 formation – and a few even started to flare up. A robust police presence appeared on Sir Matt Busby Way on the entrance to the stadium’s courtyard.
Never overlook that Manchester United beat Liverpool and nothing modified!
We nonetheless need Glazers out! pic.twitter.com/QUJJoUTSIe
— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) 22 August 2022
Players from each groups, together with United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, reached the sector even earlier than the protest started.
Discontent has grown after United’s poor begin to the season, which noticed the workforce lose each their video games – 2-1 at residence to Brighton and 4-0 at Brentford.
Most of the anger has been focused by the Glazer household, who purchased United in 2005 with a leveraged takeover that put a debt load on a membership that beforehand had none. 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 workforce or amenities and have presided over years of failure by England’s best workforce.
Payments on curiosity, loans and dividends to the Glazers are estimated to have value United greater than £1 billion.
Fans stroll previous the Old Trafford floor in Manchester, England, Monday, August 22, 2022, earlier than an organized protest in opposition to the homeowners of Manchester United forward of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool. (Peter Byrne/PA by way of AP)
“They are ruining the history, traditions and culture of our great club and (we) will not see our club rot any more,” mentioned 1958, after a gaggle of followers organized Monday’s protest.
Discontent over possession, which has emerged for the reason that 2005 takeover, flared up in May final 12 months when a house league sport in opposition to Liverpool needed to be known as off after the stadium – empty attributable to pandemic restrictions – stormed forward of the sport and hundreds Supporters block entry to Old Trafford. Two cops had been injured in a conflict with followers.
That protest was sparked by the membership’s involvement within the failed European Super League breakaway which collapsed primarily based on condemnation from followers and the British authorities.
The Glazers pledged to rebuild belief with United followers within the wake of that protest, however there may be little proof of this. Joel Glazer, a co-chair, met in particular person with United followers in June 2021 and outlined his intentions to take a position closely in all features of the membership and strengthen fan illustration within the decision-making course of.
Last week, Jim Ratcliffe, a majority shareholder of chemical conglomerate Ineos and one in every of Britain’s richest males, expressed curiosity in shopping for United, shortly after Elon Musk tweeted – jokingly, because it turned out – that he Wanted to do the identical.
Fans collect to protest in opposition to the homeowners of Manchester United exterior the Old Trafford floor, Manchester, England, earlier than the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool, on Monday 22 August 2022. (Peter Byrne/PA by way of AP)
The newest protest ended with out main incident, though some objects had been thrown in the direction of Liverpool’s workforce bus because it arrived at Old Trafford.
United gained the final of their file 20 English league titles in 2013, the 12 months through which managerial nice Alex Ferguson retired. In latest years, two of United’s largest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, have dominated the house sport.
United haven’t gained a significant trophy in 5 seasons, its worst efficiency for the reason that early Eighties, regardless of the membership spending $1.5 billion on gamers since 2013.
United’s newest signing, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, arrived at Old Trafford on Monday forward of a Liverpool match and was launched to followers on the sector earlier than kickoff as his switch was being confirmed by the membership. He is reportedly costing him $60 million, with the membership scrambling to usher in gamers within the last days of the switch window.
The season has additionally began badly beneath Eric ten Haig, its fifth supervisor since Ferguson. There are already query marks over the technique and workforce number of the Dutch coach.
Star striker Ronaldo’s future can be unsure as he pushed to go away throughout the low season as United didn’t qualify for the Champions League.
Ronaldo was left on the bench with membership captain Harry Maguire in opposition to Liverpool.
The modifications had been validated, with United displaying depth and sealing wins because of targets from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
