Many Manchester United supporters, dressed in black, marched on Old Trafford in protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club.
The protest, organised by the 1958 fan group, began at 3:15pm from the Tollgate pub, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal.
Initial reports indicated that as many as 5,000 fans joined the march, waving banners and placards to express their frustration with the club’s current direction.
The Glazer family completed a leveraged buyout of Manchester United in 2005, subsequently saddling the club with £700million in debt.
Under their ownership, the Red Devils have experienced a dramatic decline in performance, recruitment, and the overall condition of the iconic Old Trafford stadium.
Steve Crompton, spokesman for The 1958, 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.”
Manchester United Take On Arsenal This Afternoon
Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford this afternoon in a crucial Premier League encounter.
Ruben Amorim’s side are struggling in 15th place in the league but have shown resilience in big games this season.
They knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier this year and will be hoping to produce another strong performance at home.
However, United were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad in the Europa League earlier this week, with their focus likely shifting towards that competition as their best chance of silverware this season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, head into this fixture full of confidence after thrashing PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
While catching Liverpool at the top of the table remains unlikely, Mikel Arteta’s side have shown no signs of letting up in their pursuit of success.
