Man United Fan Groups Urge Green and Gold Protest Against Owners
Six Manchester United fan groups asked supporters to bring green and gold balloons, scarves and shirts to the November 8 Aston Villa game. The protest targets the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the club sits in the Premier League relegation zone.
Six Manchester United fan groups asked supporters to bring green and gold balloons, scarves and shirts to the Premier League home game against Aston Villa on November 8, as a protest against the club's owners. The Glazer family bought United in 2005, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a 27.7% stake in 2024, so the pressure now falls on both. A similar display was seen at Old Trafford for the Champions League match against Roma.
The colours stand out against United's traditional red. Fans have worn them to signal unhappiness at the direction of the club under its current owners.
Why green and gold
United began life as Newton Heath LYR FC in 1878. The "LYR" stands for Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, whose carriage and wagon department formed the team at the Newton Heath depot.
A popular story says the railway company's colours were green and gold, and that early kits used them. United say there is no definitive proof of that.
By 1902 the club had become Manchester United and adopted the red shirts. The 1992-94 away kit referred back to the original colours and remains a Premier League design classic among fans.
Pressure on the pitch
United sit in the Premier League relegation zone with one league win all season. Manager Michael Carrick remains in post.
Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox backed Carrick after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on October 25. Fan support for the manager after that match was key to the decision.
The Roma game brought some relief. United trailed 2-0 at half-time, then won through a Bruno Fernandes penalty and two Matheus Cunha goals.
Club officials are weighing contingencies if results do not improve, though they have not contacted potential successors. A two-week international break follows the Villa game, ahead of a trip to Liverpool on November 22.
Money and the stadium
In September, United announced an overall loss of £43 million. Berrada said at the time that the summer transfer strategy had "financial sustainability in mind".
The club used £63.5 million over the summer to buy land for a planned 100,000-seat stadium. Some supporters question whether that money should have gone on players, and fans have directed chants at Ratcliffe and Wilcox as well as the Glazers.
When Ratcliffe took control of football operations in February 2024, he promised to fix what he called "12 years of stupid things" under the Glazers. He said the club must be "successful in winning".
