Manchester United supporters are mobilising for a major demonstration against the club's ownership and leadership, with a planned protest ahead of next month's Premier League fixture.
Fans Call for Vote of No Confidence
The influential supporters' group The 1958 has announced it will stage a protest against the club's hierarchy before the home match against Fulham on Sunday 1st February. The group has issued a stark call for a vote of no confidence in the club's ownership, chief executive Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The decision follows the controversial dismissal of manager Ruben Amorim on Monday, just hours after his furious reaction to a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The group has lambasted the club's on-pitch performances as "mediocre" and off-field operations as "chaos", accusing minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe of incompetence.
A Crescendo of Frustration
This protest marks a significant escalation in fan discontent, which has been simmering for months. Supporters feel they have been priced out, sidelined and treated as a nuisance. The anger is directed at both the long-standing Glazer family and the new INEOS regime led by Ratcliffe, who fans believe has already squandered his goodwill.
Statements of opposition are already visible. During Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Burnley, a banner in the away section read: "Jim can't fix this." The 1958 had previously postponed protests to give Ratcliffe time, but now states that "the time has been squandered" and the situation is worse.
Chaos Behind the Scenes
In a scathing statement, a representative for The 1958 detailed the reasons for their fury. They claimed Amorim's sacking was not primarily due to poor results—which included a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby—but allegedly stemmed from a heated exchange with Jason Wilcox.
The group criticised Wilcox for having just nine months' experience as a Director of Football at Southampton and attempting to interfere tactically. They also questioned CEO Omar Berrada's endorsement of the decision, citing his lack of prior experience in the role.
Darren Fletcher has now taken interim control, overseeing the draw with Burnley and preparing for an FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton. The club sits just outside the Champions League places, having failed to capitalise on opportunities to secure a top-four berth.
The protest at Old Trafford on February 1st is intended to be a massive show of force. The 1958 warns that the club's 150-year history and soul are at stake, urging all fans to join them to "fight for our club" before it is too late.
