2021 Old Trafford protests

On 2 May, fans organised protests outside Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium and the Lowry Hotel prior to the club's Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

[2] In April 2021, Joel Glazer played a high-profile role in controversial plans to have Manchester United compete in a proposed European Super League.

On 22 April, a group of around 20 supporters gained entry to Manchester United's training ground to stage a protest against Glazer's ownership.

At 15:00 BST, a security sweep of the stadium began in an attempt to remove all protesters, assess pitch damage, and determine if a breach of COVID-19 protocols had occurred.

[18][19] The family of a protester alleged police officers inflicted a broken jaw and ribs in the process of arresting him on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and a public order offence.

[21] Former players of Liverpool and Manchester United and current Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and Roy Keane expressed support for the cause of the protesters and criticised the actions of the Glazer family with regards to their general operation of the club since their takeover, and their more recent involvement in the European Super League project.

[26] ESPN faced criticism when Jon Champion was cut off by the network as he criticised the Glazer family ownership of the club and the use of the North American franchise model in Europe.

[33] Two seasons on, another demonstration against the Glazer ownership took place ahead of another home game against Liverpool on 22 August 2022, marking the fourth significant protest at Old Trafford within 18 months.

[36] On 20 February 2024, the Glazers completed a partial sale of Manchester United to Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos for approximately £1.3 billion for an initial 26.2% stake including full control of the football department.