Manchester United is the most successful domestic club in England with 20 league titles to their name and one ahead of their archrival Liverpool FC, but their recent run of form has alarmed their fans for the last couple of years, and therefore, they are now going through yet another bad spell.
The ‘Anti-Glazer’ protest by Manchester United fans necessitates a large police presence ahead of the Liverpool game.
What really happened at the anti-Glazer protest at Manchester United?
Thousands of Manchester United fans marched on Old Trafford before the club’s victory over rivals Liverpool on Monday because the supporters are fed up with the controversial owners, and the newly formed group ‘The 1958’ led the latest anti-American protest before kick-off. Fans gathered at the Tollgate pub, about half a mile from the stadium, for the pre-game rally.
‘United for Sale,’ read a banner strung across the front of the crowd, which moved slowly and loudly towards Old Trafford, with more supporters joining along the way. That banner also featured an image of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who expressed an interest in buying the club last week, giving supporters another reason to rally.
Anti Glazer protest at Old Trafford
Another flag read, ‘We want our club back,’ while smoke from flares filled the air and anti-Glazer chanting erupted. A large police presence was on hand to monitor the event, which arrived at Old Trafford about 30 minutes before kickoff.
The march ended near the United ‘Trinity’ statue outside the stadium, where hundreds of fans had already gathered, and many Liverpool fans were detained in a car park by police in order to avoid trouble.
‘United for $ale’ banner
Although there were some isolated incidents of missiles being thrown over the wall separating the protesters from the Liverpool fans, the demonstration was mostly peaceful. The problems were quickly resolved by police, but the protest took so long to clear that the visiting fans were kept back until after the game began.
