Manchester United supporters group, The 1958, have issued a further rallying statement following the huge fan protest this weekend – a demonstration which they have dubbed a ‘massive success’.
Thousands of Man United fans descended upon Old Trafford as they do every week this Sunday, only this time they were there for much more than the usual 90 minutes.
In what looks to be the largest-scale turnout for some years, Reds turned up in their droves to march from The Tollgate pub just outside the Trafford Bar tram stop before making their way down Talbot Road towards the cricket ground and then onto Sir Matt Busby Way.
Although it’s pretty much impossible to say just how many people attended the peaceful demonstration, it looks to have been the biggest since the 2021 Glazer protests around the time of the Super League.
Edward Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were at the #AFC game and will have been left in no doubt about the strength of feeling against the club’s ownership as thousands of #MUFC fans protested amid angry, defiant sceneshttps://t.co/BYqUjdZ9kZpic.twitter.com/yCW24DNYyb
Quite the turnout, as you can see, and The 1958 wasted no time in commenting on the sheer numbers which joined them in protest.
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Writing in a lengthy post on X, they said: “Today was a massive success and fans showed up in huge numbers. Young, old, families, supporter clubs, some fans [are] clearly struggling. All for the love of our club and to fight for everything we stand for.
“Worldwide media coverage turning the lens of greed back on our owners. Each one of you made a statement that we have had enough. We will not take it any longer.
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“Many seem to think that a protest is a silver bullet. It is a war of attrition and the war to protect the best interests of our club, generational fans and football is underway. We have always said it’s a marathon not a sprint and it requires resolve, dedication and commitment.
“This will be more than protests at the ground and everyone will need to play their part. Everyone who took part today at the ground or online will be on the right side of history.
“Unified in solidarity under a single cause. Stay the course and support each other. Further updates will be released this week on what comes next. The 1958.”
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🗣️Today was a massive success and fans showed up in huge numbers.
Young, old, families, supporter clubs, some fans clearly struggling.
All for the love of our club and to fight for everything we stand for.
Having already assured that he agrees with supporters’ rights to protest following the Real Sociedad game last week, Ruben Amorim once again gave his thoughts after the fact.
“This is a big business and maybe all the fans in this league sometimes feel it is harder to go to the games and pay for tickets. We want to give them a lot of effort. In the future, we will not play like that.”
As for the game itself, despite United taking the lead through a stunning free kick from captain Bruno Fernandes, an equally impressive strike by Declan Rice saw the game end 1-1.
You can watch the highlights from the match down below:
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In the shadow of The 1958 protest, there was still an important game to be played.
The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
Manchester City agree deal to sign top Premier League defender Marc Guehi
Danny Jones
It looks like they’ve finally got a done deal: Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal for the transfer of highly sought-after defender Marc Guehi.
Man City are said to have finally reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign the increasingly established Three Lions star after emerging as a suitor in recent weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of the impressive Premier League centre-back ramped up earlier this month, as it became apparent that they were hoping to hijack Liverpool’s prospective move for Guehi.
The Ivory Coast-born England international looked all set to arrive at Anfield back in the summer, but the deal never materialised, and now rivals City appear to have sealed his signature.
According to breaking transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano, Palace and Man City are said to have now reached an agreement in principle for approximately £20 million.
It’s fair to say that it’s an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.
While details surrounding contract length, wages and add-ons, etc., are yet to be fully confirmed (as is final verification as per an official announcement via his new employers), personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
On the other hand, the acquisition will also see Man City’s total spending to roughly half a billion pounds over the past year alone. Staggering sums for any sporting outfit.
Not that his former London team will mind one bit, of course, as it became increasingly clear that Guehi would be leaving eventually; manager Oliver Glasner – who also seems set to depart at the end of his contract – even addressed the sale in his most recent press conference.
You can see the clip in question down below.
''I wish him all the best for the rest of his career, he will have a great career I think''
Once again, we will have to wait for the official unveiling at the Etihad Campus, but we’d say that this interview is all the verification you need.
With Man City currently facing multiple absences, particularly in their backline with both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out injured, Guehi’s arrival is no doubt a welcome one.
Although many debated whether or not Pep needed to sign another centre-half, especially with two promising youth players returning from loan, supporters will nevertheless be glad to have snatched him from the clutches of Liverpool.
Over in the women’s team, they’ve also brought in a new member of the squad who could help spur on their title charge.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2025 
