The Telegraph newspaper is reporting that Manchester United supporters are planning on staging a protest against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, in the upcoming clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 19.
In the past, United supporters have worn green and gold to show their dissatisfaction with the Glazer’s ownership of Manchester United. But now, at the upcoming Liverpool match, the United supporters plan on wearing old Manchester United shirts that pre-date the Glazers’ 2005 takeover.
I can imagine the reaction from the Glazer family:
Oooooo! Please no! Not the wearing old shirts treatment! Arghhhhh!
Seriously, if Manchester United supporters want to show their dissatisfaction against the Glazer family, don’t go to the game against Liverpool, their most-hated rivals. If United supporters could stay away in droves for their biggest home match of the season, imagine what type of message that would sent to the Glazer family.
Instead, by wearing old fashioned United shirts, it’s going to look like a fashion show with a sold-out stadium. Wearing old shirts is going to have the opposite effect that United supporter groups want to achieve. People will be watching the game more closely to see what old jerseys they can spot in the crowd. And the reason the supporters are doing that will be lost by many people watching.
If Manchester United supporters are truly serious about sending a message, they need to continue focusing on encouraging supporters not to buy season tickets (which sales are down compared to United’s target). Watch the matches on television or in the pub. If they really want to get the Glazers’ out, the last place they should be going to is Old Trafford.
