MANCHESTER UNITED fans are being urged to make their feelings clear at Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
The green and gold protests against the Glazer takeover are long gone, with supporters now being told to wear funeral black.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced the wrath of United fans
A Manchester United supporters’ group has unveiled plans for a protest on March 9
But what could Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos, or even the Glazers do to bring the increasingly angry fans back into the Old Trafford fold?
SunSport’s MARTIN BLACKBURN and MARTIN LIPTON look at the various moves that might be possible — and assess how realistic they are.
BUILD, BABY BUILD
Starting work on the “new Old Trafford” would be a visible and popular signal of the club’s ambition.
Confirming a new 100,000-capacity stadium, at the heart of an entertainment and regeneration complex on land adjoining the club’s home since 1910, would certainly alter the dynamics of the conversation.
The long-term benefits on income streams — likely to see an uplift to £8m in gate money every game — would be felt by the club’s power in the transfer market.
In addition, the current site would have a significant redevelopment value as well. Win-win for everybody.
An AI impression of the new project, which could see United build a 100,000-seater stadium Credit: Canva
IT’S GOOD TO TALK
Fans are desperate to feel wanted by the club — and better communication might have an immediate effect.
Justifying ticket-price increases, a second round of job cuts and cost-cutting by email and press release was hardly going to bring a feel-good factor.
Raising the lowest price ticket to £66, with Ratcliffe having argued they should not be cheaper than at Fulham — their FA Cup conquerors on Sunday — will raise around £2m, seen by fans as a drop in the ocean given the latest record income of £662m.
With bitter rivals Liverpool having recently announced a freeze on season-ticket prices for next term, following that lead and explaining how much they value supporters would be a welcome, if unlikely, move.
But equally important, for many fans, would be actually hearing from the men at the top.
It is felt that Ratcliffe and Ineos sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford are reluctant to give out any information over long or even short-term plans — when supporters are crying out to see a real vision for the club.
For many, it represents no change from the remote Flordia-based ownership they became used to when the Glazers were in full control.
Man Utd fans protested the rise in ticket prices at Old Trafford in December
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
MUST — the Manchester United Supporters Trust — has long been urging a new share issue to allow fans to invest and take a tangible stake in the club.
United do not have a shortage of wealthy fans who might be ready to put hands in their pockets even if Ineos retained full control of the sporting side of United.
GET THE GLAZERS GONE
Probably the biggest demand of many fans — but also the least likely.
The Glazer family have used United as a lucrative cash cow, taking a staggering £1.3bn from share sales and dividend payment — while late patriarch Malcolm paid less than £800m to buy the club in 2005.
They earned £715m from selling Ratcliffe his stake 12 months ago and have continued to rake in the cash over the past year.
But so far there is no reason whatsoever for the Glazers to sell their remaining 75 per cent shareholding — and even less when it is Ratcliffe and Ineos who are now getting it in the neck from supporters and not them.
United fans want the Glazer family to fully sell up
A PROPER STRATEGY
United’s shocking transfer market record over the past few seasons has left a squad that does not seem fit for purpose — and definitely unsuited to Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.
What the fans want to see from this summer is a coherent and structured approach to the market.
Supporters recognise that not every signing will work out.
But they want to see players arrive who have a clear and defined role and who are part of a focused and not scatter gun approach.
If it looks like every new player shares an agent with the manager — which many felt was the case under Erik ten Hag — that is bound to cause concern.
United have splurged a staggering amount on transfers
Likewise, there needs to be a clear chain of command and responsibility — the club must be the one to blame if things go wrong, not necessarily the manager.
Paying out millions every 18 months to the latest managerial fall-guy is hardly a smart play — and increases the pressures over Profitability and Sustainability Rules as well.
United fans, arguably more than supporters of any other club, want to see the Carrington production line bearing fruit.
The proposed sales of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo this summer would be viewed as a massively retrograde step.
United should be cultivating the crop for their own use, not be a producer for other clubs to benefit from their efforts.
United fans are desperate for Kobbie Mainoo to sign an extension
Alejandro Garnacho was linked with a move away in January
GET IT RIGHT ON THE PITCH
A winning side, under a manager with authority, can provide cover to let the other longer-term issues be fixed with far less scrutiny on them.
Amorim arrived with expectations that have not been met and doubts are starting to swirl around the Portuguese.
But assuming he gets this summer to reshape his squad, the next step must be to show obvious positive signs on the field.
Without that, the mood can only become increasingly mutinous.
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham
MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.
Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.
Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.
Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.
He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.
United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.
There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.
Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.
But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?
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