Sport

Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club

Anyone else getting déjà vu?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 9th January 2026

Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.

This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.

Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.

With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…

Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.

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As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.

Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.

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With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.

Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.

Manchester United fan group The 1958 issue statement after ‘successful’ protest

Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.

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Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.

In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.

What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?

glazers out protests history
when did united fans break into the stadium?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Semenyo joins Man City number 42 shirt

Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.

Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.

That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.

Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.

This comes after Man City had already been reported to be activating his sizeable release clause in late December.

It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.

Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.

However, it has since been confirmed that City reached the agreement completely outside of his release clause, instead paying £62.5m, with performance-related bonuses totalling a further £1.5m, as well as a reported 10% sell-on clause.

For now, he will wear the 42 shirt: the same one he wore at Bristol City and the number of former club legend, Yaya Toure.

Moreover, Semenyo to City now being done could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…

Oscar Bobb loan interest ramps up as Manchester City look set to sign Antoine Semenyo

Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.

Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.

Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…

 “They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.

“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”

Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?

Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.

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Featured Images — Manchester City FC

Sport

More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in

Danny Jones Danny Jones Greater Manchester football games called off due to Storm Goretti

Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.

The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.

Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.

One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.

Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.

Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.

Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.

In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.

Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.

Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings

With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.

Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.

For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.

So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.

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Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/The Manc Group

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