Five stewards charged in connection with the assault of a Manchester United fan at Old Trafford have been removed from duty by the club's contracted security firm. The men, who are not directly employed by the club, are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in January.
Controlled Solutions Group (CSG), the security company engaged by Manchester United for matchdays, stated that the five staff members, supplied by HR Security and Protection Services, are no longer permitted to work on any CSG operations. The incident occurred in April 2025 during a peaceful protest following the club's goalless draw with Manchester City.
Fan Protests and Ticket Policies
The protest was initially sparked by a response to ticket price increases. Further demonstrations are anticipated when Manchester United faces Manchester City again at Old Trafford. The club has faced criticism for its recent measures against ticket touts, with accusations that innocent fans are being targeted without sufficient evidence.
Minutes released from a July fans' forum revealed supporter frustrations regarding the club's communication, described as "aggressive in tone, vague and anxiety provoking." Fans also raised concerns about long-standing season-ticket holders being displaced in favor of hospitality and premium customers. Manchester United's chief executive, Omar Berrada, denied any intention to reduce season ticket availability or prioritize financial gains from this process, acknowledging that initial communications could have been improved.
Matchday Ticket Concerns
Tickets for an upcoming match against Sabah have been made available for general sale, a situation that has led to fan outrage. A social media post that went viral showed a text message from Manchester United to season ticket holders who had not yet purchased tickets for the match, stating: "You don’t have a ticket for the Sabah game on Thursday – please do not come to Old Trafford. Tickets are still available to purchase here. If you don’t purchase a ticket, your season ticket will be deactivated for a future Premier League game and it may impact your away eligibility."
Club sources maintain that these terms are clearly outlined in season ticket purchase agreements and have long been the protocol for those opting into cup competitions. They clarified that the message was sent only to fans who had opted in but not paid for their tickets and had not responded to previous emails. While acknowledging the wording could be improved, the club expects Old Trafford to be full for the Sabah game.
Stadium Development and Player Injuries
In parallel with these fan-related issues, Foster + Partners have been officially appointed as the architects for Manchester United's new stadium project. This move signals a shift towards the design phase for the planned 100,000-seater venue. The club previously addressed questions about not holding an open tender for the stadium rebuild, stating that a formal process with appropriate due diligence was underway.
Regarding player availability, Amad Diallo is not expected to resume training on the grass until after the international break, though he has an outside chance of being fit for the trip to Fulham. Marcus Rashford was substituted as a precaution against Everton due to a hamstring concern. Matthijs de Ligt is back in training following back surgery but is being managed carefully with no fixed timeline for his return to competitive play.
Youth Team Strategy and Player Development
The club's youth teams have seen a strategic shift, with the Under 21s reverting to a 4-2-3-1 formation, adopting a similar approach to the first team. Adam Lawrence is set to manage United's Under 19s in the UEFA Youth League. The academy's commitment to player development is also highlighted by the academic achievements of young players, including 16-year-old midfielder Jaume Camacho Sidos, who achieved top grades in his GCSEs while also performing well for the Under 18s.