The weather was ominous on Monday afternoon in Trafford, Manchester. The rain was torrential and dark clouds had gathered above, which seemed a metaphor for the bleak mood around Manchester United ahead of their game against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The 1958 supporters' group had urged fans to protest against the Glazers before the match and the message was sent to arrive at The Tollgate pub just over two hours before kick-off. "Be loud, be proud, stand as one," a statement from the group read and thousands of fans responded to that rallying call. The Tollgate only allowed supporters with a match ticket in the pub but others gathered outside.
The rain had stopped and there were loud renditions of 'he goes by the name of Wayne Rooney' and 'I see the Stretford End arising' in the beer garden, but quickly anti-Glazer chants broke out with a degree of venom. "We want the Glazers out," the fans in the pub garden sang before the first airing of the sinister Joel Glazer chant was heard. That was followed by thick green and gold smoke.
