Delay in ignition for Manchester United. Only twelfth in the Premier League with only one victory in five matches and five small points, the English club will have to react after the international break. Especially since the next match on Saturday against bottom side Tottenham will pit two sick teams against each other. And if Red Devils coach Michael Carrick is under pressure, he is not the only source of tension within the English club. Indeed, the situation is complicated in the stands for the Mancuniens.
While the disenchantment between the supporters and the Glazer family who own the club has lasted for years, this has not improved with the arrival of the INEOS group as shareholders. Moreover, a boycott campaign was recently launched. In addition to this, certain economic choices divide with a desire to “gentrify the stands” with constantly increasing subscriptions. And the criticisms are multiplying.
Supporters at war with leaders
Mancunian supporters report widespread repression with 685 season tickets suspended and 464 supporters receiving a warning earlier this month. THE Daily Mail even reveals that Manchester United is looking for someone “responsible for managing tensions with supporters”. This is happening while the club has decided to chase down illegal ticket resales and fight against the black market.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust was particularly dubious about the method through a spokesperson: “While fans are broadly supportive of combating illegal ticket resale, this does not justify treating suspicious digital behavior as evidence of illegal resale, imposing harsh sanctions without sufficiently compelling evidence, or expecting fans to defend themselves without properly disclosing the allegation, evidence, and specific rules they allegedly violated. This exercise has considerably damaged the trust between the club and its supporters.
Through these events, supporters especially see an opportunity for leaders to try to increase the tickets available for sale to foreign supporters and thus increase revenue. Accusations which were rejected by Manchester United. However, this does not help the club’s relationship with its fans. The latter are increasing the number of demonstrations and on September 13 against Manchester City during the derby, the attacks were rife. Supporters notably displayed the following banner towards the leaders: “the way you treat us is a shame.” The next few weeks are unlikely to lead to appeasement…
