THOUSANDS of Manchester United fans have launched a furious protest at the way the club is run.
Supporters believe the club is “slowly dying” and are making their voices heard ahead of the match against Arsenal.
GettyManchester United fans are protesting the club’s ownership[/caption]
GettyIt is thought that there are thousands of fans in the march[/caption]
AFPOne fan’s side criticised the club’s ticket process for children[/caption]
EPAOne banner asked fans to ‘fight’ for the club[/caption]
GettyAnother claimed fan culture had died[/caption]
Man United are facing the title-chasing Gunners at Old Trafford TODAY.
It has been reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and at least one member of the Glazer family will be in attendance.
The Manchester Evening News has claimed that there are an estimated 5,000 fans taking part in the protest.
Fans – many of which were dressed in black -have been photographed protesting the club’s ownership with various signs.
One read: “£66 for kids tickets! Exploiting dreams!
“We’re more than just a seat number.”
Another stated: “Fight fight fight for United. Glazers out.”
Another banner even claimed that “fan culture” has died this year.
Fans will protest from the Tollgate Pub and march to Old Trafford before the 4.30pm kick off against Arsenal.
The 1958 spokesperson Steve Crompton has claimed that the club is “dying” and is “facing financial Armageddon”.
GettyThey are marching from Tollgate Pub and march to Old Trafford[/caption]
GettyOne fan is ‘fumin’ at the situation[/caption]
GettyA fan group has said the club is facing ‘financial Armageddon’[/caption]
GettyThere were an estimated 5,000 people on the match[/caption]
He said: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model.
“The club is facing financial Armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin.
“Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world’s greatest football institutions which is being brought to its knees and in many ways becoming a laughing stock.”
There has been no secret of the financial issues at the club with Ratcliffe cutting hundreds of jobs in order to cut back spending.
Last year, 250 staff were made redundant while in February it was announced that up to 200 more could also lose their jobs.
Other cuts have seen Ratcliffe cancelling the club’s annual Christmas party, raising concession ticket prices, and cutting funding for a charity helping former players.
While SunSport also exclusively reported how the Under-18s were denied the chance to play at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup fifth round, with the game played at Leigh Sports Village to save £8,000.
Manager Ruben Amorim was aware of the protest before the game during his pre-match press conference.
He admitted that the fans have every right to protest while insisting that he is focused on the match.
He said: “For everybody in our club, it’s a really tough moment. It’s everything at the same time.
“The only thing I can do and our players can do is perform well and win.
“People have the right to protest. I think it’s a good thing to do that. It’s part of our club. Everybody has a voice.
“But our job and my job is just to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they are amazing.”
More to follow…
GettyAnother banner read ‘death by 1,000 cuts!’[/caption]
ReutersThe recently announced up to 200 jobs could be cut[/caption]
GettyFans demanded the Glazers sell their entire stake in the club[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
