Thousands of Manchester United supporters marched on Old Trafford wearing black as they protested against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club.

The protest started at 3.15pm at UK from the Tollgate pub, and was organised by The 1958 fan group.

Initial reports suggested as many as 5,000 supporters joined in ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal, waving banners and placards laying out their frustration at the direction of the club. Messages included “RIP fan culture”, “We want our club back” and “Love United. Hate Glazer”.

The Glazer family completed a leveraged takeover in 2005, and have since saddled the club with £700m debt while presiding over a dramatic slide in standards across the board, from performance on the pitch to recruitment and the shoddy condition of their famous stadium.

The group demanded an end to the family’s ownership and asked supporters “to wear black to symbolise how the club is ‘slowly dying’ due to huge debts, mismanagement and fan exploitation”.

Steve Crompton, spokesman for The 1958, said: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model. The club is facing financial armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin.

“Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world’s greatest football institutions which is being brought to its knees and in many ways becoming a laughing stock.”