Manchester United supporters’ group The 1958 has urged Manchester United fans to wear black in protest of the Glazers ahead of the match against Arsenal on Sunday. The group, which has been staging protests against the owners for years, will aim to make more noise in this critical time for the club.
In a statement on Tuesday, The 1958’s spokesperson Steve Crompton 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.
“The club is going backwards and it’s likely to get even worse. We urge fans to rise up, unite and join us at 3pm on Sunday as we march to the ground and protest against the despised Glazers and the club’s deliberate assault on fan culture.”
Manchester United’s financial situation has prompted part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to implement a series of drastic changes, including job cuts and funding cuts for club charities, to reset the club’s business operations. Even Sir Alex Ferguson was not spared as the legendary manager’s ambassador role ended last year.
Although Ratcliffe’s cuts and changes have been viewed as ruthless and excessive, the real blame lies with the Glazers. Their £790 million leveraged takeover in June 2005 placed a debt-free club into significant financial trouble from which it has yet to recover.
So, as Steve Crompton states, wear black on Sunday, whether you are in Manchester or another country altogether, and protest the ownership of the Glazers.
United Beyond Manchester 
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