Manchester United vs Chelsea was, not so long ago, the clash between the top two sides in the country.
Yet Thursday’s meeting was anything but, as both teams approached a late-season encounter with little to play for.
Indeed, the off-field drama surrounding the two clubs seemed to detract from the spectacle at Old Trafford, in a game that ended 1-1 thanks to goals from Marcos Alonso and Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half.
For Chelsea, the uncertainty surrounding their owners and transfer future means they’re a club who aren’t sure if they will be able to mount a challenge at the Premier League summit next season.
It’s the opposite for United, with the certainty surrounding their owners meaning there’s little hope of long-term success, even if Erik ten Hag’s imminent arrival has provided a faint glimmer of hope.
But those frustrations from supporters were evident again at Old Trafford on Thursday, with fans staging a protest ahead of the game which eventually reached the Munich tunnel near the Directors’ Entrance, with chants of ‘we want Glazers out’.
At the beginning of the match, it was noticeable how many empty seats there were inside the ground, with some supporters not entering until the 17th minute as part of staged late arrival, with one minute representing every year the Glazers have owned the club.
Meanwhile, banners reading ‘Glazers out’ were seen in Old Trafford as the players walked out, as well as the plethora of green and gold scarves which spectators have adorned for years.
There were also chants throughout the 1-1 draw which were aimed at club’s owners, with large sections of the crowd getting to their feet when a rendition of ‘if you hate Glazers stand up’ echoed around the famous stadium.
Whatever happens next, this is a saga which does not seem to be going away for United’s unpopular owners.
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