Manchester United Fans Plan Mass Protest in Black Against Glazer Ownership

Manchester United fans, led by the supporters' group 'The 1958', plan to wear black in protest during the Premier League match against Arsenal to symbolize the club's decline under the Glazer family's ownership. The protest will begin with a march from the Tollgate pub to Old Trafford, highlighting the club's financial woes, including significant debts and management issues. Steve Crompton, spokesman for The 1958, expressed concerns about the club's mismanagement, which includes redundancies and cost-cutting measures following a minority stake purchase by Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group. The protest also draws parallels to the 2005 demonstrations against the Glazers' leveraged takeover. Recent poor performances, including an FA Cup exit to Fulham and a 14th position in the Premier League, have exacerbated fan frustrations. The club's financial struggles are evident with a reported £300 million loss over the past three seasons and substantial severance payments to previous managers.