After Wednesday night's loss to Sheffield United, Manchester United were compelled to condemn the racial abuse some of their players received on social media.
The 2-1 home defeat to the Blades meant that the Red Devils were unable to reclaim their position at the top of the table from rivals Manchester City.
After the game, some United fans directed their anger in the form of racist insults towards Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe.
The club came out and strongly criticised this behaviour in a statement, together with the hashtag #UnitedAgainstRacism.
"Everyone at Manchester United is disgusted by the racial abuse received by players via social media after last night's game," read the statement.
"We utterly condemn it and it is encouraging to see other fans condemn this on social media also. Manchester United has zero tolerance of any form of racism or discrimination and a long-standing commitment to campaigning against it through our All Red All Equal initiative.
"Identifying these anonymous mindless idiots remains problematic. We urge social media platforms and regulatory authorities to strengthen measures to prevent this kind of behaviour."
The statement is strongly worded but also frustrated by the ease with which such racists can hide behind their keyboards and pseudonyms.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire joined the criticism, tweeting a photo of himself taking the knee alongside Bruno Fernandes in an anti-racist statement.
"UNITED against racism. We will not tolerate it," said Maguire.
Lahbdltuy
1
why always martial? ole must go and one question to woodward what things makes ole to u which u don't want to sacks him please let us know.
Votdklmnst
0
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
was it a penalty kick when you were beating 3-2 by Manchester United? shame
sah_sannidhya
1
disgraceful United fans, don't know how to respect their own players
Agreed , our fans base is turning into ash nowadays . Gone are the time when our fan base was considered as the best . Now majority of the fans are to impulsive . They want instant results .
Gy__ie
0
look at you, Brunoo Free kick(pelnaty)ππ
penalty*
Gy__ie
0
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
look at you, Brunoo Free kick(pelnaty)ππ
Vuabeknosu
0
is like u have attended low quality high school π€£π€£π€£
MuncheeChestUnited
0
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
You canβt even speak English π
montestiokah
0
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
misguided person
nimimruyz
0
use your word properly. you need to add 'some of man united fans' not 'man united fans' think properly before you comment[byebye]
I said classless man united fans, so if you are not classless why worry. I didn't have to say some because I didn't said all. so you should read and understand
yaykouy
1
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
do u lack simple understanding of English?
Youabdmnoz
2
y ur team...can't admit defeat...shame on this kind of football team..not everytime..u can get penalty kick
Mwene98
4
Ole, start playing Diallo, please! Why buy players and not play them like you've been doing with VDB? Nooo man! Martial and Rashford need to up their game and can only do when they feel their respective positions are threatened.... Wake up, Ole!
Yiwmnosy
1
fu*****f u mother f******g raceist fans...
FransLiparu
2
No to racism. But Tuanzebe should follow Timothy Fosu Mensah. Matic should not play ahead of Fred & Mctomnney ever again. Cavani as main striker, Shaw all day over Telles.
fowaeiknoz
0
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
Racism will never end.
jacksonjuan
0
when manU losses, only black players are abused?? π
I thought I was the only one who saw that ππ€¦πΏββοΈπ€¦πΏββοΈ literally everyone play terrible yesterday but martial and tuanzebe are the ones being blamed for it.
BenchuksGH
1
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
you see why your generation will never make it in lifeπ
jacksonjuan
0
unless, ole u stop starting martial in every match or you play him from the wing and allow cavani to strike before we will stop, ole stop playing gambling with our match we have good players use them and stop using on serious and lazy players like martial and the rest.
We donβt fucking care how bad he is racism is never okay no matter what the situation is.
yitabcdmty
2
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
See why your life is the way it is... you are simply mad...[Hitface]
yitabcdmty
1
unless, ole u stop starting martial in every match or you play him from the wing and allow cavani to strike before we will stop, ole stop playing gambling with our match we have good players use them and stop using on serious and lazy players like martial and the rest.
You have to be truly senseless to make such a statement [Sadtolook] you don't deserve to be a united fan...[Hitface]
Mose_9
0
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
may God forgive you?racism over football.......
Elkris
0
Hmm it should have been the coach sef
hopbilpu
0
I just don't like it when martial starts for Man utd.. he just need to be sold. his not sharp at the top.. he will only score one out of five chances.
Mbq
1
unless, ole u stop starting martial in every match or you play him from the wing and allow cavani to strike before we will stop, ole stop playing gambling with our match we have good players use them and stop using on serious and lazy players like martial and the rest.
If I was close to u I would punch u so hard coz ur statement is idiotic...get a life man
JEREMY_BENZ
1
Didn't See it Coming...Although Martial Plays Trash At Times, it Doesn't Mean People Should Racially Abuse Him.
Vibcdekrt
0
Classless man united fans, that's how low they will go when they loose, racially abusing their own players. Football is not a individual sport. YOU COCK SUCKERS!!!
use your word properly. you need to add 'some of man united fans' not 'man united fans' think properly before you comment[byebye]
Cedaersy
1
[image]
hhhhhh dont panic brooo this is small games
Chima92
0
manchester united lost because the refree didnt award penalty kick to save MU from losing the match..fair and best refree
Shut up! Man Utd disgraced y'all without a Penalty in the FA Cup!
Hafiz3011
5
i'm all for the jokes against united but i draw the line when it comes to racism in any form.. those didnt come from passionate fans, just a bunch of weak minded assholes who have no satisfaction in their lives
Sukdestuyz
0
they are only appreciated when they score. Football is not an individual game you haters.
kipabcdyz
2
unless, ole u stop starting martial in every match or you play him from the wing and allow cavani to strike before we will stop, ole stop playing gambling with our match we have good players use them and stop using on serious and lazy players like martial and the rest.
is dat y u'll use racist comments against martial.... u better stop being a United fan and look for watford
Thomas_obote
0
manchester united lost because the refree didnt award penalty kick to save MU from losing the match..fair and best refree
And that's why we beat you without a penalty
Rabaeklpz
0
hmmm funs stop abusing players okay
Yuebcirtz
1
Classless man united fans, that's how low they will go when they loose, racially abusing their own players. Football is not a individual sport. YOU COCK SUCKERS!!!
I agree with you
RealMadrid787
0
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
Man I know he might not be at his best, but show him respect. He has feelings too.
hahbeilnpu
3
unless, ole u stop starting martial in every match or you play him from the wing and allow cavani to strike before we will stop, ole stop playing gambling with our match we have good players use them and stop using on serious and lazy players like martial and the rest.
hahbeilnpu
4
why will ole not use sawn , Fred and cavani to start, keep that martial on the bench
fowaeiknoz
2
Martial and Tuanzebe deserved it
nimimruyz
2
Classless man united fans, that's how low they will go when they loose, racially abusing their own players. Football is not a individual sport. YOU COCK SUCKERS!!!
ficbiry
0
manchester united lost because the refree didnt award penalty kick to save MU from losing the match..fair and best refree
Venbdiprs
0
does your head work proper..losing one game is it a crime? I think you're not Manchester United fun your just a follower
mimbdeinou
0
mancityfanforever7
1
disgraceful United fans, don't know how to respect their own players
Noaaokialex
1
it's not the matter colours, the fact is that Anthony Martial is not good enough for United to become great again!
Brett-Clement
2
It's all well and good saying it's intolerable behaviour, and that it's hard to catch those responsible for the comments due to online names, but eradicating racism effectively is going also to be hard, so start doing something, try track them down, ban them from games, do something!
lukzlat910
4
Last season when Rashford and Pogba missed penalties, they were also racially abused....now Martial and Tuanzebe are also getting racially abused, seriously this fanbase is getting worse every minute π€¦π»ββοΈ No room for racism, say no to racism πͺ
ManUnited-Red
2
that's type of insults are welcome here ππ
Miockmnt
4
when manU losses, only black players are abused?? π
lazenopr
0
You lost simple !
yuebcklpu
1
Durin uwar martial