Protests at United after worst start and controversial Haaland goal

On Sunday Manchester United lost to Manchester City, causing the club to equal the worst start to a season in the Premier League, and thousands of dissatisfied fans protested against the owners. The anger over Erling Haaland’s off‑side goal, which was later recognised by the Premier League as an error, faded somewhat into the background.

Fans protest after City loss

Thousands of Man United fans gathered around Old Trafford and hung banners with messages such as ‘The way you treat us is a disgrace’. The demonstration was aimed at the owners, after hundreds of fan accounts had been suspended for sharing personal data.

Carrick under pressure after controversial goal

The defeat increased the pressure on manager Michael Carrick, who publicly admitted that the result was disappointing. ‘We are doing everything to make them happy. We don’t have as many points as we would like, that cannot be denied’, Carrick said at a press conference.

Former United legend Roy Keane warned against panic. ‘It is a poor start to the season, but I expect the players to respond’, he said. After the takeover of the shares by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new director Omar Barrada, coming from Manchester City, has set the Premier League title of 2028 as a goal. He says United will have to fight for the title again next season.

With the 1‑0 defeat to City, United matched the worst points total ever after four rounds (four points), a record that was set last season by Rúben Amorim.

noted that the red card for Phil Foden was only one team playing smart, and that this was not Michael Carrick’s doing. The controversial goal by Erling Haaland was later recognised by the Premier League as an error.

In a press conference, later published on Bola na Rede, Michael Carrick criticised the VAR decision: ‘The explanation only makes the situation worse, it is an astonishing decision.’ He emphasized that United have two matches this week and that they must keep winning despite the lack of points.

The combination of protests, a controversial defeat and growing discontent among the fan base puts United under an intense spotlight, which could determine the club’s future in the coming weeks.