“It’s our club, not yours.”
That was the message from hundreds of impassioned Manchester United supporters unified in demanding change at balmy Old Trafford, overlooked by the Sir Matt Busby statue.
A penny for the thoughts of the trailblazing Scot who led United to the zenith of the European Cup just a decade after tragedy decimated his Babes in Munich.
For over one thousand United fans, this wasn’t just a revolt against this week’s attack on football by the self-interested, avaricious owners.
Or the hollow apology that followed after the rapacious plan to turn United into founding members of a ‘European Super League’ folded like a deck of cards.
This was a display of anger against the Glazer ownership that has plagued the club since its toxic leveraged takeover in 2005.
Several signs among the hundreds described the Glazers as a ‘virus’ to the club, while others said they would do ‘whatever it takes’ to see the back of the American owners.
One youngster, no older than 15, proudly held a sign that read “What is the offside rule, Joel?”.
Nothing encapsulated how out of touch plotters of the breakaway Super League were better than Real Madrid president Florentino Perez rambling about the next generation’s lack of interest in the game, and this was the perfect response.
“You greedy bastards, get out of our club,” United fans sang, heard loud and clear long after the arranged 3pm meet time.
There was a match day atmosphere at Old Trafford for the first time since Scott McTominay sent the Stretford End into delirium 13 months ago.
And while no fans were inside the ground, this protest, for many, would have held more significance.
Gary Neville branded the Glazers ‘scavengers’ after ESL reports surfaced and United fans chanted his name in their hundreds as the full United songbook was rinsed through in the sun.
The most powerful image, albeit possibly distasteful, was a handful of United fans gathering and draping the ‘Holy Trinity’ with green and gold scarves.
But this was indicative of the outrage and fury from United fans who have probably never felt more detached from their own club.
Joel Glazer wrote in his apology statement that he was ‘committed to rebuilding trust’ within the global fanbase.
In reality, there is no trust to rebuild; the Glazers have been radio silent since controversy surrounded their takeover 16 years ago and United fans won’t be fooled by promises of changes in communication.
United fans will not forgive and forget and that was made clear beyond the trending hashtag at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Supporters want their club back and the German model ’50+1′ movement, where fans maintain voting rights, is gathering momentum.
This is only the start for supporters who won’t stop until they drive the Glazers out of the club.
#mufc fans united in one message at the #GlazersOut protest. Hundreds of these banners outside Old Trafford as the protests continue pic.twitter.com/nDr9kZyEI1
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) April 24, 2021
“You greedy bastards, get out of our club” #mufc fans sing at the #GlazersOut protest pic.twitter.com/ZNzCIsRRJH
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) April 24, 2021
Numbers growing at Old Trafford for the #GlazersOut protest #mufc pic.twitter.com/J5YcczoqCo
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) April 24, 2021
READ MORE: Three potential candidates to replace Ed Woodward at Manchester United
