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Liam Wood

Manchester United fans use Leeds United clash to fly anti-Glazers banner over Elland Road

Protests against the controversial European Super League (ESL) and Manchester United's current owners have continued at Elland Road this afternoon.

It's been nothing short of a whirlwind week for football in the Premier League and beyond.

Indeed, after alarming news emerged last Sunday regarding ESL breakaway proposals, six English clubs who signed up - including Leeds United's arch rivals United - have been faced with universal backlash.

Plans for the much-maligned reform, spearheaded by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and American owners at three Premier League clubs, have since been extinguished.

However, in the eyes of supporters, pundits and other sides across the Premier League, the damage has already been done by this afternoon's visitors to Elland Road - in addition to Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Manchester United fans, upset by the Glazer family's involvement in the aborted ESL project arranged for a banner to be flown above Elland Road prior to kick-off.

The banner read: '2BN STOLEN #GLAZERSOUT' as Red Devils fans continue to target the Glazer family, who took over at Old Trafford in 2005.

Although criticism and resistance to the ESL reform has been widespread, it's Leeds who proudly flew the flag and kick-started that response on Monday night.

Indeed, ahead of their 1-1 draw against reigning champions Liverpool, the Whites warmed up in shirts that featured the slogan; 'Champions League, earn it' on the front and 'football is for the fans' on the back.

Over in Manchester, protests have already taken place at Old Trafford and the club's Carrington training ground.

But now, with the entire Premier League watching ahead of a clash that could see Leeds move up to ninth-place in the table with victory, objections are set to continue.

United are already facing up to change on the back of the part they played in the ESL breakaway proposals.

Ed Woodward - who advised the Glazers regarding their United takeover in 2005 - has tendered his resignation and will leave his position as executive vice-chairman at the end of 2021.

He has served as the club's de facto CEO for the last eight years post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

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