United fans unfurl anti-ownership banner as Villa punish nightmare start at Old Trafford

Manchester United supporters filled the Stretford End with green and gold balloons and unveiled a new protest banner before Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, as the club sat 19th in the table following Sunderland’s earlier 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.

The banner, unfurled ahead of kick-off, carried an 11-word message directed at the club’s ownership: “We don’t want a new stadium, we want the owners out.” Chants against the Glazer family and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe rang out as the United players emerged from the tunnel. Fans had also been urged to walk out in the 21st minute — marking 21 years since the Glazers’ leveraged buyout — though that element of the protest did not materialise.

Opposition to plans for a new stadium to replace Old Trafford formed a central part of the demonstration. Many supporters are angry that funds have been directed towards acquiring land for the project rather than strengthening the squad, with several fan groups calling on those inside the ground to make their discontent audible.

On the pitch, United’s afternoon quickly mirrored the mood in the stands. Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, scored twice inside the opening four minutes through Alysson and Nicolas Jackson to take immediate control.

United responded, as they had done in their dramatic 3-2 win over Roma on Tuesday. Captain Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty to halve the deficit, before Youri Tielemans equalised just before half-time to send the teams in level.

Villa reasserted themselves after the break, however. John McGinn converted a penalty to restore the visitors’ lead, and Leon Goretzka then extended it to two goals again as United were punished for a slow start to the second half, leaving Michael Carrick’s side deep in relegation trouble.