Manchester United fans are wearing black to mourn a dying club

Manchester United supporters' group "The 1958" has announced a protest against the club's ownership, calling for fans to wear black during Sunday's match against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The protest is aimed at highlighting dissatisfaction with the Glazer family and the club’s leadership, particularly due to financial mismanagement and a disappointing season in the Premier League. The group has also organized a march before the game, urging fans to unite against what they describe as the club's decline.

United reported a financial loss of 144 million euros last September, and recent data shows an 18 million compensation payout to Erik ten Hag, his coaching staff, and former sporting director Dan Ashworth. Since Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag in October, results have not significantly improved. Tensions escalated after United's FA Cup exit to Fulham on Sunday, following a penalty shootout defeat.

In their statement, "The 1958" said:

"The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model. The club is facing financial armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin. Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world's greatest football institutions, which is being brought to its knees and, in many ways, becoming a laughing stock. The club is going backward, and it's likely to get even worse. We urge fans to rise up, unite, and join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday as we march to the ground and protest against the despised Glazers and the club's deliberate assault on fan culture."