Greater Manchester Police have increased their vigilance ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City, following announcements of a planned protest by a Manchester United supporters group. The match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. local time.

The protest is being organised by The 1958 Group, a collective representing some of the club’s fans, in response to recent measures taken by Manchester United to combat ticket touting. These measures have led to sanctions against certain season ticket holders, with some facing restrictions or bans from attending games at Old Trafford.

The 1958 Group has called for various supporter organisations to assemble outside a nearby pub prior to the derby as a demonstration against the club’s crackdown. The group emphasises that the protest will remain peaceful while expressing concerns about the transparency and fairness of the club’s disciplinary process regarding ticket resales.

In a statement, The 1958 Group highlighted the longstanding loyalty of Manchester United supporters and questioned the legitimacy of the sanctions, stating that individuals affected have not always been informed clearly about the allegations against them or provided with evidence justifying the penalties.

Greater Manchester Police have acknowledged the planned gathering and are reportedly considering deploying additional officers to the area to maintain order during the events surrounding the high-profile match. No further details have been released regarding the scale of the police presence or additional security arrangements.

The tensions underscore ongoing challenges within English football regarding ticket resale policies and the relationship between clubs and their supporters. Manchester United’s efforts to reduce ticket touting have been part of broader attempts across the sport to ensure genuine fans have fair access to match tickets, though these initiatives have sometimes generated controversy among the fanbase.