Man Utd fans, peeved with club’s American owners, burn US flag at Old Trafford

A multitude of British football club Manchester United supporters gathered outside Old Trafford on Saturday to protest against the club's US-based owners for their involvement in the breakaway competition European Super League (ESL).

The irate protesters set the US flag ablaze outside the club's home ground, demanding the ouster of the billionaire Glazer family from the popular club.

The footage of stars and stripes up in flames took the social media world by storm, seen as a strongest and starkest signal to the club's owners that they lack the support of fans.

"All of the consequences of the debt-ridden Glazer ownership of the club have come home to roost in the last week, with the disgraceful plans to walk away from our roots in English football and walk away from our history and tradition in the European Cup," read a statement issued by the protest organizers.

"The disgraceful plan was a direct consequence of an ownership structure which is all about money and nothing about supporters," it added, taking aim at the US-owners of the club.

The 20-time English champions was among the so-called 'dirty dozen' European clubs who had signed up for the breakaway league when it was announced last weekend.

However, the furious backlash prompted it to withdraw from the competition.

United fans burning an American flag outside Old Trafford today 🔰#GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/tWhnuV1Rgp

— UtdXclusive 🔰 (@UtdXclusive) April 24, 2021

The protesters on Saturday were heard chanting slogans like "Glazers out" at the demonstration, while donning scarves emblazoned with a similar message. Smoke bombs were also reportedly set off.

"United fans demand change. We demand the German model requiring fans own 50% +1 of the club. We demand that the Glazers begin the process to make this happen with immediate effect," the statement noted.

"The last week has shown them the future they dreamed for Manchester United is not possible and is never going to happen," it added. "There will never be a better time to hand majority ownership to the only people who have the long-term interests of the club at heart - the United fans.”

The protesters called on all United fans to come together on the forecourt at 2pm, before the Liverpool game, to "collectively make this point in a way the Glazers, and the rest of the world, cannot ignore."

Green & Gold until our club is sold!🔰 #GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/iAcuihdCka

— WHF!🇾🇪 (@mufcwesleyy) April 24, 2021

Saturday’s demonstration follows protests by Chelsea and Arsenal fans against respective owners Roman Abramovich and Stan Kroenke.

Meanwhile, according to reports in the US media, the Glazer family is considering bids for the club of around £4 billion following the public backlash against them.

Glazer had bought out United shareholders between 2003 and 2005 in what was seen as a leveraged buyout. However, they could never win over the club supporters, who loathed the way Glazer made the purchase, as well as the thought of an American family owning the British franchise.

A fan campaign known as "Love United Hate Glazer" became popular following the family's takeover of the club. The campaign used stickers and graffiti across the UK, including in the stands at Old Trafford.

The divorce between the British club and its American owners seems complete now.

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