This archive report was first published on 2 May 2021.
On May 2, 2021, Manchester United fans were on the edge of a historic moment as their team could potentially be crowned Premier League champions. However, their attention was diverted to a more pressing matter – a protest against the club's American owners, the Glazer family.
As the team prepared to face Liverpool at Old Trafford, hundreds of fans managed to storm the stadium, making their way onto the pitch. The atmosphere was tense, with chants of 'we want Glazers out' echoing through the air.
Flares were lit, and one was even launched towards the television broadcast gantry. The anger towards the Glazer family was palpable, and it was clear that the fans were not happy with the direction the club was heading.
The Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United has been a contentious issue for years. They acquired the club in 2005 through a leveraged takeover, saddling the team with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt. The fans have been vocal about their discontent, with some even wearing green and gold colours to matches as a sign of protest.
On Sunday, the green and gold colours were back at Old Trafford, along with banners aimed directly at the Glazer family. The protest was a clear message to the owners that the fans will not stand idly by while the club is run into the ground.
Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward has already announced his departure from the club by the end of the year, amid the fallout from the failed European Super League project. However, the fans are demanding more – they want the Glazer family to sell the club and allow a new era to begin.
