Manchester United supporters from The 1958 group have decided to postpone an organised protest against the club’s ownership scheduled for the day when their club will face Arsenal in the Premier League opening game on August 17.

The protest, aimed at minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers, was cancelled after the group came to realise the time was not ripe for a march on the stadium of Old Trafford.

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The group had planned a placard march protest against Ratcliffe’s entry following his acquisition of a 28.94% stake in United and taking over operational control from the Glazers in February 2024.

The 1958 has led fan activism over the last few years, but a new survey showed a more nuanced situation than organisers had anticipated.

“Given a fanbase as multicultural and energetic as ours, striking the right balance isn’t always simple,” The 1958 replied in a statement.

“We’ve had to consider momentum, timing, fan appetite, broader consequences of protest activity whilst assessing how current and future decisions may impact us as fans.”

🗣️Postponement of Protest – Arsenal (H), August 17thAfter careful reflection, and in light of the survey results. We have made the decision to postpone the planned protest for the Arsenal home game on Saturday, August 17th.For us, it has always been, and will always be, about… pic.twitter.com/JXHeO0KfFy

The survey conducted by The 1958 showed a split among supporters over whether to act now or wait.

Almost 63% of the close to 26,000 who answered hoped to have Ratcliffe brought to task immediately through protest, yet 68% indicated he needed more time to prove himself. The mixed reaction firmly indicated that there was no single call to action.

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That fragmentation has threatened any campaign of protest. With less than wholesale support, organisers feared disappointing numbers and a diluted message. A divided show of strength would not only fail but also undermine the legitimacy of any future campaigns.

For a team that prides itself on momentum and unity building, moving forward in such a situation was premature. The risk of some fans joining or boycotting the protest was higher than the reward of moving forward.

Ratcliffe has implemented revolutionary — and occasionally unpopular — changes since taking operational control.

His detractors in the supporter base berate him for siding with the Glazers rather than implementing change.

“Jim Ratcliffe chose to leap into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping to help them stay in power,” the group stated last week. Others went even further, calling him “no saviour” and “like a (red) devil in disguise.”

This is genuine discontent, but The 1958 knew that Ratcliffe is yet to be in office for more than a few months. There are those who believe he is to be given more time to perform, particularly as some of the changes may take time to materialize. Hasting now, they feared, could scare away those who would still afford him the benefit of doubt.

Balancing this resentment with the need for strategic timing was daunting. The team ultimately decided to keep their powder dry now, which would preserve unity and allow them to strike back in stronger form later if discontent grows.

The Glazers, long the target of The 1958’s demonstrations, still maintain majority control of Manchester United. Despite Ratcliffe’s ability to run the club, the group still senses the Glazers’ grip exists. Unseating or watering down them was always the movement’s ultimate goal.

The organisers feared that an ill-timed protest, particularly one aimed at Ratcliffe, could jeopardize the general anti-Glazer movement. A false step now would dilute the basic complaint and shatter the united front they have been creating over decades.

“That rift is real, and we believe it would be irresponsible to take a chance on playing a role in bringing about any ‘red on red’ fighting inside or outside the stadium,” The 1958 said. By avoiding a confrontation between supporters, they wish to preserve momentum for the larger battles ahead.

In the meantime, The 1958 will remain vigilant. Although banners are rolled up tightly, the campaign is not in hibernation, biding its time to mobilise when the time is appropriate and the fan base can act as one. Old Trafford’s opening day will, for now, be remembered for the football and not for protest at its gates.