- Manchester United fans set to hold ‘silent protest’ against club
- The club is expected to move its supporters next season to make room for younger players.
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Manchester United fans are expected to protest the club’s planned seat changes in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool by wearing yellow clothing.
Old Trafford fans have been left furious after United announced some season ticket holders would have to vacate their seats next season to make way for academy players.
The club argued that the change was necessary as a side view is “optimal for their development and future performance” when referring to why academy players would be given a new season allocated to the interior of the stadium.
The move sparked fury from spectators who are expected to be affected by the change of seats inside the club’s oldest stand, considered the best seat on the ground.
Supporter groups announced they would form a “united supporters’ movement” against the proposed plans.
Manchester United fans are expected to protest against the club’s planned seat changes during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.
Fans have been left furious after United announced some season ticket holders would have to vacate their seats next season to make way for academy players.
SouthStandUtd has issued an update on its planned actions at the 77,000-capacity stadium where United host Liverpool on Sunday, encouraging supporters to wear yellow clothing during the match.
Other groups – notably the Man United Supporters Group – supported the decision with part of the statement released: “Manchester United are set to receive a splash of yellow this Sunday as a united supporters’ movement takes a stand against the controversial policy of reshuffling the club’s seats.
“Influential online movement SouthStandUtd has received support from large supporter groups urging fans to wear yellow during the FA Cup clash against Liverpool.
“The silent protest, which will be seen during a match broadcast live to a global audience of up to 1 billion people, aims to send a powerful message to the club’s hierarchy.
“Fueled by anger over the forced relocation of loyal season ticket holders, the protest transcends individual groups. It is a united front against a policy seen as discriminatory and coercive towards supporters who represent the heart and soul of the club.
A letter from the club’s director of operations, Collette Roche, explained the reasons – although it did little to quell the unrest among United supporters.
Liverpool travel to United on Sunday for the final time under Jurgen Klopp
The group previously called the youth players’ explanation for the fan movement “beyond parody.”
United’s operations director Collette Roche previously explained the decision in more detail, in a letter seen by Mail Sport, which said: “Another issue we have faced is the location of seats allocated to our academy and to the players of the women’s team.
“We believe, especially for our younger players, that having a side view of the action is optimal for their development and future performance, and that being located close to the suite they are accessing is also important.
“It is also important that these tickets are placed together with adequate supervision given the growing profile of many of our young players.”
