Manchester United endured a tough day in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, a match that saw City reduced to 10 players after a red card. This loss marked the club's worst start to a Premier League season since the 1992-93 campaign, with just four points from their first four games. The result came amid heightened tension as fans protested against the club's ownership, a situation that had been growing in intensity in the days leading up to the match. The protests were largely driven by concerns over the club's financial health, including a reported debt of £1.3 billion as of their most recent accounts. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who agreed to invest £1.25 billion in a minority stake in December 2023, had aimed to bring the club back to its former glory. However, the team's recent performance and ongoing financial challenges have left fans frustrated and skeptical about the direction of the club. The full financial details will be made public on 23 September when the club releases its full year accounts for the period ending 30 June 2026. Fan groups such as the 1958 Group and The Red Army voiced their dissatisfaction with how the club has handled supporters. This included a ticket-touting investigation that led to the banning of 685 fan accounts. Some fans felt the investigation was unfairly targeting them, and they decided to protest during the match against City. Inside and outside Old Trafford, fans gathered with flares and displayed a banner reading, "The way you treat us is a disgrace." Songs were also directed against both Ratcliffe and the previous Glazer family ownership. Steve Compton of the 1958 Group noted that the club had not apologized for the impact of these actions on fans' health, and many supporters had received emails suspending their tickets without clear evidence. United's manager, Ruben Amorim, had previously set a goal of winning the Premier League by 2028, but the current performance has cast doubt on that ambition. Some fans felt the club's summer transfer spending of £148 million was not enough, especially after the arrival of Michael Carrick mid-season helped secure a third-place finish. Carrick acknowledged the importance of supporters and expressed empathy for their disappointment following the defeat.