Eric Cantona becomes the co-owner of 7th tier club FC United of Manchester, and Man Utd fans stage a SIT-IN protest all in the same weekend.
The club legend, on Saturday, become a co-owner of FC United of Manchester, founded in 2005 by Manchester United fans in response to the Glazer family’s takeover of their beloved club.
This move is seen as a powerful statement against the Glazers, who have faced ongoing criticism for their ownership of Manchester United since acquiring the club through a leveraged buyout that saddled it with significant debt.
Eric Cantona is now a co-owner of FC United of Manchester.
Because at our club, fans aren’t just supporters – they’re owners.
Join Eric as a co-owner: https://t.co/nH1NI9LCzH pic.twitter.com/N0sBdsjEgn
— FC United of Manchester 🟥⬜⬛ (@FCUnitedMcr) April 5, 2025
Looking For Eric? No need – he found us right here at FC United of Manchester pic.twitter.com/m3JvQrDZ4I
— FC United of Manchester 🟥⬜⬛ (@FCUnitedMcr) April 5, 2025
FC United, based just seven miles from Old Trafford, operates as a fan-owned entity, embodying a model of supporter involvement that Cantona has long advocated for, including in a 2022 interview where he suggested Manchester United fans could collectively buy a substantial stake in their club using social media to mobilise small individual contributions.
Cantona’s involvement with FC United aligns with his vocal opposition to the Glazers, whom he has criticised for prioritising profit over the club’s heritage.
His co-ownership was announced following a match on April 5th, 2025, a 1-1 draw with Mickleover, and has been met with enthusiasm from FC United supporters, who see it as a boost to their mission.
In a video shared by the club, Cantona expressed his pride in joining the “Cantona family” to FC United, urging fans worldwide to become members of this “great club” with a “great history,” despite its relatively young age.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have continued their protests against the Glazers. On March 9th, 2025, thousands marched to Old Trafford ahead of a Premier League match against Arsenal, organised by The 1958 fan group, to decry rising ticket prices, job cuts, and the club’s on-field decline.
The protest featured banners like “we want our club back” and “£1bn stolen,” referencing the debt burden—currently over £1 billion, including transfer fees—imposed by the Glazers’ financial strategy.
And then a sit-in protest was held after the Man Utd v Man City game on Sunday, 6th April 2025.
More recently, on March 24, 2025, FC United and The 1958 collaborated for a joint protest dubbed “United United Day” during FC United’s match against Stockton Town, highlighting 20 years of Glazer ownership with flares, chants, and a “GLAZERS OUT” banner.
Cantona’s move and the ongoing protests underscore a shared desire among many fans to reclaim football from corporate control, with FC United serving as a symbolic counterpoint to the Glazers’ Manchester United.
Manchester United fans stage a SIT-IN protest following the Manchester Derby 👀🏟️ pic.twitter.com/ImEW0oRK9W
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) April 6, 2025
🪑 The sit-in protest by @The__1958 has begun at Old Trafford.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/9GhuJUGJKt
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) April 6, 2025
Sit-in protest organised by The 1958 group taken up by several thousand, still going 20mins or so after final whistle.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/KSbU8Xz4e4
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) April 6, 2025
Fuck the Glazers
Fuck modern football
Fuck the attack on United fan culture
Fuck the attack on United match going fans
Well done @FCUnitedMcr a true legend 🇾🇪
We protest tomorrow 🇾🇪💪🏻 https://t.co/gkQq9ntoFn
— The 1958 (@The__1958) April 5, 2025
SEE MORE: Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans over ‘shameful’ Phil Foden and cheating b*stards chants
Twitter users reacted as Eric Cantona becomes the co-owner of 7th tier club FC United of Manchester and Man Utd fans stage a SIT-IN protest…
@BillyMeredithMU: WOW! This is HUGE! I know many parents who are taking their Kids to FC United because @ManUtd isn’t their Club anymore and isn’t a welcoming place and value for money. COMPLETELY understand why local fans are switching.
@macca_689908: £21 for a kids ST is fantastic! 👍🏼
@WPBManchester: The way football clubs should be run
@MarkRedman26327: Welcome to the family @CantonaOfficial
@CanaryGabriel: Just get on and sign the damn thing, Eric 🤣🤣
@ScaleSilver49: It’s truly special this, love it
@Michael080102:
King Eric!
What a legend!
#GlazersOut
@colinmufc2: I honestly think I’d faint if I ever met king Eric. And I don’t fan girl that easy
@RDevil80: absolutely Love this 👑👑👑👑
@gngrgeek: Wow. Legitimacy right there. Nice
@Amanda_77_Panda: 👑 🇫🇷 what a bloody legend 🇾🇪
@PaulSkillington: Eric Cantona Co-Owner at FC United. Never in a million years when the club was formed did they see this happening. Absolutely brilliant. 👏👏👏
@Timworrall:
🎵
Consider yourself FC
Consider yourself one of the family
🎵
@5c0ttlley: Eric knows 🫶🏼
@_jacobeckooo: Ohhh this club is mine 🎶
@20LEGEND_99: I know that he couldn’t but my heart wanted him to finish off by saying ‘fuck the glazer’s’
@realioRD: A very different kind of ‘reigny’ day in Manchester 👑 #KingEric
@cartonsydney: Consider yourself FC
@gdh_1999:
This badge is your badge
This badge is my badge
Three Stripes and Three sails
Oh what a fine badge….
😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Ask the King if he can get the league to bin these balls we play with! Health and safety issue 🤮🤣 @NorthernPremLge https://t.co/Q2mXTp6f8t
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) April 5, 2025
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