Manchester United fans plan Old Trafford protest against ownership during Aston Villa clash

Manchester United supporters are set to stage another protest at Old Trafford this weekend, with the 150,000-member 1958 group urging fans to demonstrate against the club’s ownership during the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

The 1958 group, which describes itself as “an underground group of reds intent on upholding the values of Manchester United, its culture and tradition”, issued an appeal on Friday night asking supporters attending the match to wear green and gold — a symbol associated with past anti-Glazer protests — and to refrain from spending money inside the ground.

Organisers said the demonstration was coordinated by a coalition of supporter factions including Reclaim the Stretford End, South Stand United and Retro Reds. The group outlined a range of grievances, including opposition to the current ownership, plans to demolish Old Trafford as part of a new stadium development, perceived disrespect towards ticketholders, declining standards at the club, and the accumulation of debt.

“Bring your own balloons, scarves and shirts to get behind the team and show the owners we want to stay at Old Trafford and want to see ownership gone,” the group’s statement read. “Release as the players come out pre-game.”

The planned action follows a turbulent week for the club’s relationship with its fanbase. During United’s Champions League fixture against Roma earlier this week, supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch as part of a separate protest. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that three people were arrested in connection with throwing items onto the pitch.

The 1958 group previously organised a protest in September over the club’s handling of ticket touting, arguing that genuine supporters were being unfairly penalised. Chants directed at the Glazer family, and with increasing regularity at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have become a fixture at Old Trafford during what has been a difficult start to the season for the club on and off the pitch.