Man United fans to protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United supporters group, the 1958, have announced that they are set to protest against the club's ownership again this season, starting with the club's first Premier League match of the season against Arsenal on Sunday, 17 August.

The group, which has organised the largest protests against the Glazer family in recent years, have confirmed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will now be targeted as much as the Glazers. Fans will march to Old Trafford before kick-off against Arsenal carrying banners that read ‘Jim Can't Fix This'.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe to face the wrath of Man United fans

Since becoming the co-owner of the club and taking over the football operations, Ratcliffe has made a string of decisions that haven't been well-received by the club's supporters.

Ticket prices have risen at Old Trafford despite the club's on-field performance reaching a new low last season, while the treatment of staff and the women's team has left a sour taste in the mouth for many fans.

There are also some fans who believe that Ratcliffe is acting as a shield for the Glazer family, who have plunged the club into more than £1bn of debt since their leveraged takeover in 2005. Ratcliffe's reluctance to criticise his new business partners hasn't gone down well.

Ratcliffe compared to a devil

Ahead of the protest, a spokesman for the 1958 said:

“We won’t allow some natural optimism and a couple of shiny new signings to deflect from the bigger off-field picture. Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping keep them in charge.

“So on 17th August, we protest not just against the Glazers, but now also against Jim Ratcliffe – a man once seen by many, including ourselves, as a possible saviour, a beacon of hope, but now revealed as complicit in the ongoing erosion of everything that makes our club what it is.”

“Jim Ratcliffe, you have chosen your side, and it is not ours. You now stand shoulder to shoulder with the Glazers. The mask has slipped. You are no saviour. You’re like a devil in disguise.”

FGG says: Has Ratcliffe had enough time?

While Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos have made some disappointing decisions since taking over football operations at Manchester United, there is also a feeling that these decisions have been necessary to try and steer the club away from financial turmoil.

The biggest issue at Manchester United remains the Glazer family, and supporters should remember that. By becoming distracted by Ratcliffe, I fear fans are playing right into the Glazers' hands.