Manchester United Fan Group Plans Protest Against Ownership
An influential Manchester United fan group is organizing a protest against the club's ownership, which it claims is "turning the club into a circus."
The 1958 group previously led protests regarding the management of Manchester United, attracting thousands of supporters in March last year. Although they initially planned to hold another protest before the opening home game of this season against Arsenal, those plans were ultimately scrapped.
Discontent with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has intensified in recent weeks, particularly following the appointment and subsequent dismissal of Ruben Amorim. This has prompted calls for a protest before Manchester United's match against Fulham on February 1.
During a recent match at Turf Moor, fans displayed an anti-Ratcliffe banner and chanted derogatory songs aimed at co-chairman Joel Glazer.
In a statement, the 1958 group criticized Ratcliffe, stating, "After lurching from one disaster to another, Ratcliffe comes across as an incompetent clown turning the club into a circus. Instead of being best in class, we are a laughing stock. It has been an extraordinary and deeply troubling few days at Manchester United. On the pitch, we are witnessing mediocre performances from an average team drifting without identity, direction, or ambition. Off the pitch, the chaos is even worse."
Senior officials at United are currently searching for a caretaker manager to replace Amorim. However, sources indicate that substantial discussions with leading candidates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick have not yet occurred.
Supporters close to Ratcliffe defend his tenure, highlighting the £250 million he has personally invested in the club, including a comprehensive renovation of United's Carrington training complex, as evidence of his commitment to moving the club forward.
Conversely, critics cite the decision to retain Erik ten Hag after the 2024 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, followed by a £200 million investment in new players, only to dismiss him after just nine games in the new Premier League season. They see a similar pattern in the hasty decision to let go of Amorim following last season's disappointing 15th-place finish, viewing it as indicative of flawed decision-making.
"Let us be clear: this is not a defense of Ruben or the football served up under him," the 1958 group emphasized. "Much of it was unacceptable. However, his dismissal once again exposes the continued dysfunction at our club."
Ratcliffe, 73, has faced criticism for various cost-cutting measures, including two rounds of layoffs and increased ticket prices.
Manchester United is set to host Brighton in the FA Cup third round on January 11, with Darren Fletcher currently in interim charge. The former United and Scotland midfielder, who serves as the club's Under-18 coach, has impressed senior officials with his management style during this interim period. They were encouraged by the performance against Burnley, believing that a different outcome could have easily resulted in a comfortable victory.
While no timeline has been established for appointing a caretaker manager through the end of the season, it is anticipated that a decision will be made before the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on January 17. However, sources have indicated that it may be overly optimistic to expect a resolution by that time.
Those familiar with the situation also believe that Solskjaer and Carrick, who parted ways with Middlesbrough in June after two and a half years, are both considered capable managers in their own right, rather than potential members of a shared coaching staff as they were following Jose Mourinho's dismissal in 2018.