Fan Protests Against the Glazer Family
Manchester United fans are to stage a demonstration of opposition against club ownership prior to their highly anticipated Premier League tie against Arsenal on Sunday, 9 March, 2025, at Old Trafford. Fans, known by the group The 1958, are organizing demonstrations aimed at expressing rage against the club's ownership by the Glazer family, with the owners they claim has pushed the club to financial hardship.
The demonstrations come at a bleak time of year for United, with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League, their worst opening in decades. Discontent has risen from recent austerity under the new football operations division led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who invested in the club last year with a 27% stake. Despite the arrival of Ratcliffe, however, most supporters believe the source of United's problems lies with the Glazers.
The 1958 team have encouraged supporters to wear black as a symbol of the club "slowly dying" and to attend a march that begins outside the Tollgate pub at 3 PM, down Talbot Road, Warwick Road, and Sir Matt Busby Way, before terminating outside the Trinity statue and carrying on along the Munich Tunnel.
History of the Glazer Ownership Unrest
Manchester United fans have been complaining against the Glazers for years ever since their leveraged takeover of the club in 2005. The family ownership has been criticized due to the heavy amount of debt saddled on the club, withdrawal of dividends regularly, and lack of investment in stadium infrastructure.
There was outrage against the Glazers in 2021 when fans stormed Old Trafford, resulting in a game against Liverpool being postponed. This was in protest of United's involvement in the ill-fated European Super League project, which had been widely criticized by football fans worldwide.
Despite continued protests, the Glazer family has remained firm in their position that they are within their rights to run the club as they see fit. However, their management style has been the source of growing concerns that United is falling behind their Premier League rivals.
Gary Neville's Prediction for Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Adding to the pre-match build-up, former United captain and football pundit Gary Neville has made a prediction ahead of the Arsenal match. Neville believes that the game will end in a draw, citing United's inconsistency and Arsenal's form.
It is an enormous game for both clubs, but I think United's off-field issues could catch up with them," Neville said. "Arsenal will dominate possession, but United could catch them on the counter. I can see this ending 2-2.".
A draw would not suit United's disastrous season, while Arsenal, who are themselves struggling for the Premier League title, would be disappointed not to take three points from a poor team.
The Effect of Fan Protests on the Club
The planned demonstrations will surely be a dramatic intervention, although its long-term impact is debatable. Even with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's intervention, bringing about renewed hope, his minority stake means the Glazers will ultimately have the final word in important decisions.
There are concerns that ongoing protests will affect the players' and staff's morale, who are already under extreme pressure due to the recent performances of the club. Protests might also impact potential investment in the club in the future, such as attempts to take over.
What's Next for Manchester United?
With growing disillusionment among the fans, doubts have been cast on the club's future in the Glazers' hands. If the demonstrations are continued and performances on the field do not reflect an improvement, calls will be made for more drastic changes in ownership.
United fans believe that Ratcliffe's arrival can bring in more positive things, but until such time, the message to fans is clear: they want the Glazers out.
As the club prepares for their meeting with Arsenal, all eyes will not only be on the players but also on the fans who are making themselves heard in one of the biggest protests in recent history.
