One of the prominent supporter groups representing Manchester United has issued a call for fans attending the upcoming match against Arsenal to wear black as a demonstration against the Glazer family’s management of the club. The group, known as “The 1958,” released a statement urging supporters to participate in a march prior to kickoff, highlighting growing financial instability and a dismal record in the Premier League this season.
In the latest financial reports, Manchester United disclosed a staggering net loss of $144 million for the 2023-24 period. In February, further financials revealed an £14.5 million ($18.2 million) compensation bill for Erik ten Hag, his coaching staff, and former director Dan Ashworth following their dismissals during the season. Additionally, the club’s debt interest payments for the previous six months have totaled £18.8 million.
Last weekend, United fans expressed their dissent during the FA Cup defeat against Fulham, primarily motivated by escalating ticket prices. Following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% minority stake on February 20 last year, several austerity measures and fundraising initiatives have been implemented. These measures include standardizing ticket prices to £66 and two rounds of layoffs, totaling over 200 job losses.
After Ruben Amorim took over from Ten Hag in October, the team has not seen an improvement in performance, culminating in a recent exit from the FA Cup after a penalty shootout against Fulham.
“The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model,” stated Steve Crompton of The 1958 in the group’s announcement.
“The financial situation is approaching a crisis. The burden of debt is destructive. Sir Matt Busby would be horrified to see one of football’s greatest clubs brought to its knees and ridiculed,” the statement continued. “The decline is evident, and without action, it is poised to worsen.”
Supporters have been encouraged to unite and gather at 3 p.m. on Sunday for a march toward Old Trafford, aiming to voice their discontent against the Glazer family’s reign and their perceived attack on the club’s fan culture.
Since the leveraged buyout by the Glazers in May 2005, which left United over £500 million in debt, fan opposition has been strong. The concerns were present even before the acquisition, with supporters unhappy about their once debt-free club’s financial jeopardy.
This upcoming demonstration will mark a second consecutive week of protests at Old Trafford, coming on the heels of fan participation in the Football Supporters Association’s campaign against the exploitation of loyalty regarding ticket pricing, highlighted during the match against Fulham.
