Manchester United are currently struggling on the pitch and things are about to get more ugly for the Red Devils off the pitch.
United crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday after losing to Fulham via penalties. Ruben Amorim’s team who are currently 14th on the Premier League table now has to win the Europa League to have a chance of playing in Europe next season.
As the club owners continue to make some decisive decisions, Manchester United’s supporter group The 1958 have urged fans to wear black to symbolise how the club is “slowly dying” during a protest before facing Arsenal in the Premier League.
United supporter group The 1958 have organised several protests against the Glazers in the last few years, and arranged a protest against the increase of ticket prices to £66 in December.
A fresh protest will now take place and fans will voice their anger on Sunday afternoon before facing Arsenal. The 1958 protest group have said they are “up in arms about ticket prices” and a lack of transparent communications.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring . (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s popularity has plummeted due to the ticket debacle and he was confronted in January by fans, who told him he was “taking the p***” and was “worse than the Glazers”.
A spokesperson from The 1958 said: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and blame lies squarely at the current ownership model.
“In many ways, this is the biggest crisis United has faced since the Munich air disaster which inspires our name. 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.
“We have been working hard across both club and non-club boundaries for the betterment of fans, our club and football for some time. Today we announced protest details which will not just be limited to action at the ground. This is more than just a club to us. We more than just a number on a seat.”
United’ total debt is currently placed at £731m plus over £300m in transfer fees owed and the club’s broadcast revenue has been slashed due to failing to qualify for the Champions League.
In an attempt to increase their revenue, the club have been forced to let go of some staffs and raise ticket prices.
