Manchester United fans revived one of English football’s most famous banners on Saturday to taunt Manchester City amid its rival’s battle with the Premier League over more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules.
A banner bearing the words “51 YEARS” was unfurled in the Stretford End during United’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
By displaying the figure, United supporters sought to suggest that any trophies won by City between 2009 and 2018 — which form the core of the Premier League’s case against the club — should not count, effectively extending its wait for silverware back to its 1976 League Cup success.
The banner echoed the “24 YEARS” sign first displayed by United fans in 2000, highlighting City’s then two-decade-plus trophy drought.
The number was increased annually as City endured a barren spell and eventually reached 35. The banner disappeared after City lifted the FA Cup in 2011, its first major trophy since 1976, before it went on to win multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the Champions League.
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City was charged by the Premier League in February 2023 with more than 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations covering a period from 2009 to 2018.
Enzo Maresca’s team travel to Liverpool on Sunday in its first game since being found guilty of serious breaches of the league’s financial rules. City has denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal against the independent commission’s verdict.
Published on Oct 11, 2026