A Manchester United fan group is planning the next large-scale protest outside Old Trafford in response to the latest raft of unpopular decisions by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his executive board.
The ‘Theatre of Dreams’ has been subject to many fan protests in the last few years, the most notable of late being the demonstrations in May 2021, which saw thousands surrounding the premises and many supporters even breaking into the stadium.
Although the previous instances were in response to the Glazer family’s much-maligned stewardship, the upcoming protest is in response to the new co-owners and minority shareholder Ratcliffe along with the INEOS Sports Group who have taken control of footballing operations over the past year or so.
It’s barely been a full 12 months since the partial takeover was completed and despite plenty of early positivity, the mood amongst the Man United fan base looks to slumped significantly already, with results and actions around the club changing the sentiment significantly. Cue groups such as The 1958:
🗣️Shall we begin: Announcing protest Arsenal 9th March
We have been preparing for this for a few weeks in anticipation.
We are angry, the fans are angry and it’s been building for some time.
The long-standing fan group (named so in memory of the ‘Busby Babes’ and the Munich Air Disaster) are now gearing up for their next big protest, which is scheduled to take place ahead of Man United’s game against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March.
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Although the Red Devils have other home matches before this fixture, including Ipswich on Wednesday, 26 February and the next round of the FA Cup against Fulham, it seems poignant that the fans have selected one against a fierce rival and one which gives them plenty of time to prepare.
The announcement begins by stating: “We have been preparing for this for a few weeks in anticipation. We are angry, the fans are angry and it’s been building for some time.
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“We have all been more than patient. We all know the root cause, we have always known the elephant in the room. Yet, this isn’t being addressed. It’s those who can least afford it, have the most emotional connection with our club who are being asked to pay the price in more ways than one.”
The 1958 go on to accuse the new administration – as what they now feel is merely a continuation of the Glazers’ neglect – of “trampling over generational support and memories of friends and family who handed the club over to us like something they have stepped in.”
Citing “the treatment of fans from the club” and “eradication of fan culture”, they point towards recent widespread grievances such as United targeting concessions and upping the prices of tickets for the remainder of the season; excluding a fan with dementia, ‘forwarding membership’ debacle and more.
The most recent and notable is another imminent series of job losses, with upwards of 100 staff set to be made unemployed.
The post which has already been reshared countless times online, which at least hints at the kind of numbers the protest will garner, goes on to argue that while the club “preach fan engagement the reality is they dont practice it”, adding “We know this first hand and have evidence.”
“ACTIONS NOT WORDS, IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH […] We rise again to defend our club and be warned this will not just be on the street campaigns at the ground. Keep treating the fans with contempt at your peril.” An unwaveringly serious tone, to say the least.
In case you need a reminder of the protest scenes we’ve seen from United fans in the past, be it in the name of the ‘Glazers Out’ movement or clubs rallying against Super League talk, look no further…
Let’s just say some much-needed good results in the coming weeks could go a long way towards deciding just how big this next demonstration will be.
Are you a Man United fan who will be heading to the next protest at Old Trafford?
Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.
While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.
The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.
BREAKING: Rodri has been fined £80,000 and warned about his future conduct over comments made following Man City's draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month. pic.twitter.com/wdP4slCNef
At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.
“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.
As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.
In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.
As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.
He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”
What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Danny Jones -
17th February 2025 
