Manchester United have revealed their new kit for the upcoming season Supporters are set to protest against the Glazers at their club store this morning
Manchester United fans blocked the entrance to the megastore on the day of the launch of the new kit as part of another anti-Glazer protest.
Frustrated fans, who are furious at the protracted takeover saga and the Glazers’ ownership of the club, obstructed the main door to the shop to coincide with the unveiling of the new Adidas kit.
The 1958, the group behind the protest, claim the store was closed at 10am, shortly after the protest began at around 9:45am this morning. But United insist it was never shut and remained open throughout.
A small gathering of fans were spotted outside Old Trafford holding anti-Glazer banners and flags. Onlookers reported a small but noisy crowd, who also sang songs against the controversial owners.
Mail Sport understands the club have devised a way to allow fans wanting to get their hands on the new kit access to the megastore. Security have been assisting customers hoping to buy the shirt, which costs £110 for the authentic matchday version and £80 for a replica.
Police and security had gathered at Old Trafford to await protesting supporters, who were told on social media to gather at the megastore from 9:45 on Tuesday morning.
The 1958, a group behind several anti-Glazer protests in recent months, had urged fans to turn up to the demonstration.
In an earlier Tweet the group wrote: ‘Bring your anti Glazer flags and banners! Be loud, be visual. We don’t stop until they sell our club.’
Large sections of the club’s support are furious with the Glazers, with the process now in its eighth month having launched last November.
With the new season seven weeks away it remains to be seen whether Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani or British billionaire Sir Jim Ractliffe will be successful with their offers for United in what is essentially a two-horse race.
The American owners, who have drained more than £1bn out of the club since their leveraged takeover in 2005, are yet to make a choice – despite a deadline for final offers passing at the end of April.
Initially it had been hoped that any takeover – or investment – would be completed before the opening of the transfer window.
A small group of supporters brought flags and banners after being urged to attend the protest.Some fans were still able to get their hands on the new shirt, officially unveiled on Tuesday.There was a small police and security presence outside Old Trafford during the anti-Glazer protest
While United’s level of spend is not impacted, the lack of clarity over the club’s future is not assisting those trying to get deals over the line.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Raphael Varane were among the United stars to model the new shirt.
The kit, featuring a pattern of Lancashire roses, was officially unveiled earlier on Tuesday. It was first revealed to the public in a leak by United fan and British rapper Aitch at Glastonbury.
The 23-year-old rapper donned a previously unseen United strip as he featured on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, although pictures of the shirt had been leaked on social media months beforehand.
A group of Man United fans are planning a protest against the Glazers (pictured – Avram and Joel) at the club’s megastore – amid growing frustration over the long-running takeover saga British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe (above) and Qatari Sheikh Jassim (below) are the two front-runners in the processThe pair have already submitted multiple bids to take ownership of the club since sale proceedings first began in November last yearAitch leaked the new Manchester United shirt during his Glastonbury set on SaturdayMarcus Rashford and Ella Toone were among the players involved in the kit launch
United confirmed on Tuesday morning before the launch that the shirt donned by Aitch during his performance on the Pyramid stage was the same one their men’s and women’s stars will wear for the forthcoming season.
TeamViewer remain the shirt sponsor, despite United mutually agreeing to end their partnership with the German technology company in December. The club said TeamViewer would still feature on the front of their kits until a new sponsor was found.
United and TeamViewer reached an agreement in which United have the opportunity to buy back the rights for their shirt sponsorship once a new partner is signed.
Football Insider reported that the Red Devils earn £47m-per-season from the TeamViewer deal – though the finance team at Old Trafford believe a new shirt sponsor could bring them higher value.
-Dailymail
