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An escalating backlash from Manchester United supporters has seen a prominent fan organisation announce fresh protest plans, accusing the club’s ownership of presiding over ongoing dysfunction at Old Trafford.
The 1958 supporters’ group says it will stage a demonstration ahead of United’s Premier League fixture against Fulham on 1 February, intensifying pressure on the club’s hierarchy, including the Glazer family and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The group has described the current state of the club as embarrassing, arguing that leadership decisions have plunged United into chaos on and off the pitch.
Discontent has grown since Ratcliffe completed his partial takeover in February 2024, with frustration sharpened by managerial instability and inconsistent performances. That anger was visible during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, when an anti-Ratcliffe banner was displayed in the away end at Turf Moor, the first match since the dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim.
In a strongly worded statement, the 1958 group said:
"After lurching from one disaster to another, Ratcliffe comes across as an incompetent clown turning the club into a circus. Instead of best in class, we're a laughing stock."
"It has been an extraordinary and deeply troubling few days at Manchester United. On the pitch, we are watching mediocre performances from an average team drifting without identity, direction, or ambition. Off it, the chaos is even worse."
The group has also called for a vote of no confidence in the club’s ownership model and wants both the Glazer family and Ratcliffe to step away. Concerns were raised about the leadership of chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox following Amorim’s sacking, which has left the club searching for an interim replacement.
Amorim was dismissed on Monday after 14 months in charge, amid reported tensions with Wilcox over tactical direction. His tenure ended with United finishing 15th last season, their lowest Premier League placing, and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. Darren Fletcher, a former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach, took temporary charge against Burnley and will remain in the dugout for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at home to Brighton.
Further dissent from supporters was evident at Turf Moor, where a banner reading “Jim Can’t Fix This” was unfurled, while songs targeting co-chairman Joel Glazer were also heard.
The 1958, which claims a membership of around 100,000, has organised several high-profile protests in recent years, with ticket pricing and fan treatment among its core grievances. In another statement, the group said:
“Manchester United is 150 years old. That proud history, built by generations of supporters, must be protected. If we do not act now, the club we pass on will be unrecognisable, stripped of its culture, its soul and its people. This needs to be stopped. We must fight for our club. We must fight for fan culture before it is too late. If you knew you couldn’t play tomorrow, how hard would you play today?”
Those close to Ratcliffe have defended him, highlighting the £250 million he has invested in the club, including a major redevelopment of the Carrington training complex. Critics, however, point to a pattern of questionable decision-making, including retaining Erik ten Hag after the 2024 FA Cup win over Manchester City, backing him in the transfer market before sacking him early the following season, and then repeating a similar process with Amorim.
The 1958 group stressed that their criticism went beyond the former head coach, adding:
"Let us be clear: this is not a defence of Ruben or the football served up under him. Much of it was unacceptable."
"But his dismissal once again exposes the continued dysfunction at our club."
Ratcliffe has also faced scrutiny over cost-cutting measures, including staff redundancies and ticket price increases. While Fletcher has impressed club figures with his handling of the interim role, there is growing acceptance internally that appointing a caretaker before the Manchester derby on 17 January may be unrealistic, leaving uncertainty to continue as unrest among supporters builds.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Javid Naderi, Unsplash / Colin + Meg
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