A controversial Manchester United fanzine is to publish its last ever edition after 26 years.

Red Issue was first printed in 1989, three years after Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment as manager.

And during the next two and a half decades, it became popular with Reds fans, in what was a trophy-laden period for the club.

It became infamous amongst rivals supporters, particularly those of City and Liverpool fans, after they published several contentious covers.

Whilst from 2005, they have been involved in the campaign against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club.

However it will be sold at Old Trafford for the final time during Sunday’s clash with Southampton, it has been announced.

One of Red Issue’s founders, Zar, said on Twitter: “Sad day for me, 26 years, thanks JP for your effort.

“Oh & you lot don’t forget to buy it Sunday.”

(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

The fanzine, which also has an online chat forum for fans, has hit the headline on a number of occasions.

In February 2012 police swooped and confiscated more than 1,500 copies of the magazine before United’s highly charged clash with Liverpool.

The match took place during the fall-out of Luis Suarez’s suspension for racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra.

Police said the magazine’s cover, which contained a cut-out Ku Klux Klan hood along with the words ‘LFC’ and ‘Suarez is Innocent’, could have incited violence between fans.

It also sparked fury later that month when it attacked ‘grief junkies’ in the wake of the collapse of Bolton player Fabrice Muamba on the pitch following a heart attack.

However, in response to today’s news, dozens of fans praised its bravery and mourned the loss of a key part of their match day tradition.

United-supporting Noorudean Choudry, who writes for the Mirror, tweeted saying: “The next Red Issue will be the last ever. Many will be happy.

“I am sad. I grew up reading it. I contributed to it. Gutted it’s over. It was everything a fanzine should be - controversial, crude and rebellious. All this talk of free speech and it ends this week. Buy fanzines otherwise they die. The world is a sadder place.”