Why are Manchester United fans wearing green and gold?

Manchester United fans are wearing green and gold to protest ownership, reviving the club's original Newton Heath colours from 1878.

Manchester United fans have been displaying green and gold scarves, kits, hats and balloons at recent matches, including against Aston Villa and Roma, as a protest against the club's current ownership structure.

The colours reference the club's origins as Newton Heath LYR FC in 1878, when the team was formed by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway company. While urban legend suggests LYR's company colours were green and gold, Manchester United say there is no definitive proof.

The club adopted its famous red shirts by 1902 when it became Manchester United. The green and gold colours were notably used in United's 1992-94 away kit, which has since become a Premier League design classic.

Six fan groups coordinated the display to increase pressure on the club's owners, the Glazer family, who took over in 2005. Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 27.7% stake in 2024.