Manchester United fan group plan protest against Glazers for Manchester derby, first sit-in demonstration since 2023

Manchester United fan group The 1958 are planning a sit-in protest against the Glazer family at this weekend’s Manchester derby.

The Glazer family have been unpopular with Manchester United fans ever since it was mooted that they would inflict a debt-ridden takeover of the football club in 2005.

Manchester United lost a section of its fanbase to breakaway club FC United of Manchester as a result. These are people who could see the direction United were heading under Glazer ownership, and they chose to form a club of their own.

The 1958 organised a big anti-ownership demonstration before United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal last month, and they continued airing their concerns with a joint protest with FC United at Broadhurst Park on Saturday.

The United fan group has wasted no time arranging further protests, with another scheduled at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Manchester United fans arrange sit-in protest at Old Trafford

Following on from last weekend’s joint protest at FC United, which showed solidarity in the fight against the Glazers, another demonstration has been arranged for Sunday’s Manchester derby clash.

Man City visit United in the Premier League and fans are set to be given instructions on how to take part in the demonstration. There will be millions of eyes on the Manchester derby and it’s a good opportunity to voice concerns after ticket price increases were announced.

Contrary to uneducated views, the protests have never been about results or United’s league position. The 1958 are protesting against 20 years of gross mismanagement from the Glazers and they want to protest fan culture.

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This time fans are being asked to remain in their seat following the derby as a response to the club’s decision to remove seating around the dugout area. On top of that, The 1958 have accused the club of selling over 1,000 tickets to Rangers fans in the United section for a Europa League match earlier this season. Those reasons — added by stealth price increases for next season — have forced the fans to act.

The last sit-in protest at Old Trafford took place in August 2023, when thousands of fans stayed behind following a comeback win against Nottingham Forest.

Steve Crompton, spokesman for The 1958, believes sit-in protests are one of the most impactful ways for United fans to protest against the ownership.

“I think probably one of the most impactful (protests) we did was the sit-in, and we will be running another one of those against City next weekend,” Steve said during a Q&A at Broadhurst Park.

Chris Haymes of The 1958 added: “We’re going to get people to sit in their seats.

“MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) did a flash survey and they reckon there’s going to be about 7,000 concessions, OAP people, who are not going to renew their season tickets.

“So, they’re trying to price them out of their seats, so we’re going to tell you to sit in your seat, stay in your seat. That’s your seat that you paid for. You probably have done for last 50 or 60 years. After that game, we’re going to stay in that seat.”

Successful joint protest against the Glazers

A couple of hundred fans gathered at Broadcast Park to make their voices heard with chants, banners and messages written on pieces of cardboard.

A Q&A took place where The 1958 explained their stance against the Glazers and what they have planned for the future.

While much of the focus was on the Glazer family, minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was also subject to some fan ire at a match with 2,357 fans in attendance.

Only time will tell if The 1958 will arrange more joint protests with FC United at Broadhurst Park.

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