'Anger at the ownership' - Aston Villa match set to be disrupted by protests

Manchester United are braced for the possibility of further fan protests at Old Trafford this weekend, with a supporters’ group calling for a show of “anger at the ownership”.

The 1958 group, which describes itself as “an underground group of reds intent on upholding the values of Manchester United, its culture and tradition”, has appealed for a show of dissatisfaction at the running of the club at Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa.

An X account boasting more than 150,000 members issued an appeal on Friday evening inviting match-going fans to wear green and gold – a nod to the club’s past and a rejection of the current leadership – and boycott spending money at the ground.

It claimed the protest was organised by a coalition of groups including the likes of Reclaim the Stretford End, South Stand United and Retro Reds.

A list of grievances stated organisers were against the owners, the prospect of knocking down Old Trafford as part of a new stadium project, ‘disrespect’ to ticketholders, declining standards at the club and the compounding of debt.

It adds: “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 the ownership gone. Release as the players come out pre-game”.

The 1958 group was involved in a previous protest at the manner of United’s ticket touting crackdown in September, claiming honest match-going fans were being unfairly targeted. Chants against the Glazer family and, increasingly, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have become commonplace during a troubled start to the season.

Earlier this week, fans attempted to disrupt the Champions League clash against Roma by hurling tennis balls on to the pitch to signal their discontent.