Man Utd followers plan large Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe protest at Man City derby
Manchester United supporters have announced plans for a protest targeting the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe over enforcing skyrocketing ticket prices at Old Trafford
Manchester United fans have unveiled plans for a huge protest at the Manchester derby next weekend.
Ticket prices at Old Trafford have skyrocketed under controversial new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group, after the British billionaire acquired a 25% stake in the club from unpopular American majority owners the Glazer family 14 months ago.
He has since launched a swathe of job cuts and sought to charge fans more to support their team. The decision to take action at the match against Manchester City was announced during a demonstration held at FC United of Manchester’s Broadhurst Park.
The demonstration, held today (Saturday), was sparked by FC United of Manchester fans, plus United supporter group The 1958, joining forces in a show of unity dubbed ‘United United Day’.
Fans believe the threat is looming that many long-standing United season ticket holders may be forced to relinquish their seats to make way for “high value” hospitality seating.
In response, The 1958 are calling on fans to stay put in their seats after the final whistle of United’s match against City at Old Trafford next weekend.
“I think the City protest is quite a decent one for us because we’re going to get people to sit in their seats,” stated 1958 member Chris Haymes.
“A quick survey by MUST (Manchester United Supporters’ Trust) estimates around 7,000 concessions, including elderly fans, won’t renew their seats due to being priced out,” reports the Manchester Evening News.
“We’re going to tell you to sit in your seat, that’s your seat, that’s the seat you paid for that you probably have done for the last 50 or 60 years.
“So after the game we’re going to tell you to stay in your seat. It is an easy one for us and we will stay in our seats. People around the stadium have been in their seats for 50 or 60 years.”
On the subject of continuing protests, 1958 spokesman Steve Crompton stated: “We will keep going [with the protests] and City is the next one.
Highlighting the effort involved, he added: “I don’t think we have done as many protests over a short amount of time previously, and it does take some organising as well. It does take time.”
United, who remain slumped in 13th in the Premier League, return to action on Tuesday when Ruben Amorim’s side travel to Nottingham Forest, before the clash against City on April 6.
The following Thursday the Red Devils head to Lyon for the first leg of a pivotal Europa League clash against Lyon – the club’s last remaining chance of silverware and qualifying for the Champions League.
