“The way you treat us is a disgrace” – Man Utd fans strike back on derby day

The Red Army has announced there will be no flag display in the Stretford End for the 199th Manchester derby.

Manchester United take on Man City at 4.30pm on Sunday, hoping to make it back-to-back wins across all competitions.

Off the pitch, United are facing backlash since the summer over how they’re treating season ticket holders amid an investigation into touting, which led to many genuine supporters getting caught in the crossfire.

United fans have been invited to protest against the ownership following the ticket ban fiasco that resulted in 685 season-ticket holders being banned.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

No flag display in the Stretford End for Manchester derby

It was acknowledged on the recent episode of the Talk of the Devils podcast by Andy Mitten that multiple fans remained at Old Trafford after United’s 4-0 win over Sabah FK on Thursday night, ensuring that all flags were collected after being waved before kick-off.

Another panellist on the podcast questioned why the flags aren’t left in the stands until Sunday, but there’s an actual reason for it this week.

The Red Army has announced there will be no flag display in the Stretford End for the upcoming Manchester derby.

Instead, a single banner will hang above the players’ tunnel with a clear message to the owners, directors and decision-making staff at United: “The way you treat us is a disgrace.”

A statement from TRA reads, as posted via X: “On Sunday there will be no flag display on The Stretford End. In its place, a single banner will hang above the players’ tunnel with a clear message to the owners, directors and decision-making staff at Manchester United: ‘THE WAY YOU TREAT US IS A DISGRACE.’

“This isn’t a ‘TRA’ message; it’s a message on behalf of every genuine fan group, match-going supporter, supporters’ club and fan representative who has either contacted us directly or been negatively impacted by the recent behaviour of The Club. It’s an honest, heartfelt cry for recognition from the maligned, vilified, and misrepresented beating heart of our football club – the generational match-going supporters.

“Neither is this solely a ‘Manchester United’ problem, this is a league-wide crisis that should be addressed at every club, regardless of rivalries and history. Without drastic changes, there will be no rivalries in the future vision for football shared by the decision makers.

“Whilst we still advocate for a change in ownership, we believe that there should be a realistic roadmap for any protest if it is to act as a catalyst for change.

“Match-going supporters should be prioritised over all others within the Club’s Fan Engagement model and all aspects of the Fans’ Forum process should be reviewed & improved to ensure that its fit for purpose. Dedicated fan representation that engages openly and regularly with the match-going supporters and proactively fights to ensure that they are treated as a priority by The Club is essential. Unless our generational match-going support is given a real voice that is actually listened to, the little that remains of our fan culture will soon be gone forever.

“TRA aren’t a protest group, we’re an ‘atmosphere’ group but we’ve never shied away from making our position clear when we believe not doing so would be to the detriment of the interests of match-going supporters. We hope that you’ll understand and support our decision and that those of you who are asking for meaningful change and are able to help will stand up and be counted when called upon in the near future.

“Until then, we’ll continue to fully back and support the players and manager throughout, starting with the derby on Sunday.”

This banner shouldn’t be mistaken for a dig towards the players, as it has nothing to do with them or recent results.

It’s a defence of the generational fans who give Old Trafford its soul and identity. Those who go every week, home and away; win, lose or draw.

These fans have been hit with ticket price hikes, moved from their seats to make room for the expansion of corporate seating, and poor fan relations.

Most traditional match-going supporters up and down the Premier League – not just United – feel they are being priced out of football, like many before them.

• ⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Manchester United host Man City in the 199th Manchester derby on Sunday
• There will be no flag display in the Stretford End
• TRA will display one banner above the tunnel: “The way you treat us is a disgrace.”

Man Utd are alienating their most loyal fans

Old Trafford loses more of its soul the longer the club pushes those who watch the team away.

Whether the club’s corporate suits realise it or not, the atmosphere generated by those supporters is what gives Old Trafford its soul. Unfortunately, I think one of the biggest problems at the club is that many of those running it are tone deaf to fan culture.

Reintroducing flags to the Stretford End was a brilliant initiative led by TRA. It was one of the only positives in the stadium after last season began poorly.

While it won’t be visible on Sunday for the derby, it will be replaced by one important message.

It’s time United and those running the football club take note.