Man Utd fans hold protest at Villa game

Manchester United fans opposed to the continued Glazer ownership of the club held a protest at their side’s home game against Aston Villa.

Fan group The 1958 also asked fans to wait outside for the first 18 minutes of the match, in reference to 18 years of Glazer ownership.

“We’ve been protesting since 2005 and we’ve had enough,” one fan said.

The march appeared to pass peacefully, with protesters carrying banners and singing anti-Glazer songs, some doing so outside the directors’ entrance as the game got under way.

While some seats remained empty, the majority of fans were in the stadium for kick-off before United won the match 1-0.

Asked if background anger could make things harder for his side, manager Erik ten Hag said: “We felt really that the fans were behind us.

“There’s lot of energy and I think a really strong bond between the fans and the players.”

Derby defender Curtis Davies missed the start of his pundit commentary slot for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra as he was caught up in the protest and only allowed in as the crowd dispersed after 18 minutes.

“It was mayhem. I got to the ground and went to go down the Munich Tunnel where the media entrance is, saw flares and 1,000-odd Manchester United fans and saw no way in,” he said.

“I spoke to a steward about entering the ground to do my job today but they had shut it down.”

The protest came as the Glazers assess the respective offers of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group to buy the club.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim wants to take 100% ownership, while it is understood British businessman Ratcliffe is willing to reduce his stake from 69% to 51%.

That reduction would allow co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to remain at the club – something the protesting fans oppose.

Manchester United did not comment on the protests but previously have said they “respect the right of fans to voice their opinions peacefully”.