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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

What are Man United fans protesting over at the Liverpool game tonight? The background and plans for the protest

There is a chance that Manchester United's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Monday night will be overshadowed by fan protests.

The Manchester United fan group ‘The 1958’ is calling on fans to stage a mass walkout at Old Trafford during the game.

It remains to be seen though if United fans will unite in walking out of one of the biggest games of the season.

READ MORE: Glazer family 'at odds' over Man Utd sale ahead of Liverpool game protests

In the corresponding fixture last season, a group of United fans invaded the pitch ahead of the kick-off causing a postponement of the tie.

What are they protesting over?

Any supporter protests tonight will be another chapter to a long history of protests since the Glazer family bought the club in 2005.

Many United fans blame the Glazers for United's struggles on the pitch in recent years, with their last Premier League title coming in 2013 and Sir Alex Ferguson's final season as manager.

Much of their anger stems from the Glazer taking large sums of money out of the club, including £743million in interest payments on the money they used to purchase the club.

The Glazers have also paid themselves £133 million in dividends in the last ten years, which is the most of any owner in the Premier League during that period.

Former players, such as Gary Neville, have been vocal in their criticism of the ownership and pointed to the iconic stadium's lack of refurbishment as indicative of the owner's lack of proper investment in the club.

Speaking after United's recent 4-0 defeat to Brentford, Neville said: "There is a family in America that is letting its employees take the blame. They need to get on a plane to Manchester and explain what the plan is. We never will have the Glazers here. The only money that has been spent on players has been generated by the club.

"The Glazers have borrowed and used the revenue the club generates through its amazing fanbase. Us four could buy the club tomorrow and spend the same money. My point is there has been a toxic culture at this club for the last 10 years since Alex Ferguson and David Gill left. It’s a mess.

"And it cannot continue to go on. The embedded failure over a ten-year period has to come back to the owner. I blamed Woodward for a long time but the Glazers left him in situ. They haven’t dealt with the football ground which is rusting.

"They need a billion for the stadium and probably a few hundred million for the training facilities. They were cash rich a few years ago now they’re struggling. Something has to give."

What do 'The 1958' say?

The supporters group have been releasing lots of statements over the past week, urging fans to be respectful when protesting.

But they are encouraging as many fans as possible to get behind the protests against the Glazer family.

A recent statement said: "We have our voices and we will not be silenced by attempts from our owners and the club to quash the feelings and passion of the common fan.

"They are in the wrong, they are ruining the history, traditions and culture of our great club and the 58 will not standby and watch our club rot away any longer.

(Getty Images)

"The 1958 will always consider what’s in the best interest of our fanbase and club. Nothing else matters other than restoring right and proper ownership.

"To focus purely on football success and upholding the standards and traditions of our great club. We will never conform to the Glazers nor have our backsides tickled by them.

"Unite with us and stand with us on Monday to demonstrate this is not acceptable any longer. We expect massive numbers to turnout.

"Help us to save our club before we don’t have a club to save.

"Our future is our only motivation. Nothing else matters.

"The 1958"

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