UNITED BLOCKADE
Fans to obstruct team buses in protest against Glazers
MANCHESTER UNITED fans plan to block both team buses from entering Old Trafford ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Up to 10,000 supporters are expected to converge on the stadium in protest at the club’s role in the doomed European Super League proposal and the controversial ownership of the Glazer family.
United have been forced to beef up security ahead of the game – and there will be an increased police presence around Old Trafford in anticipation of widespread supporter unrest.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has appealed for calm and urged those protesting to do so
in a peaceful manner. The anti-Glazer movement plan to block the entrance used by the team buses, in an effort to disrupt the game and gain maximum exposure for their campaign to rid Old Trafford of the American billionaires.
United bosses are aware of the planned protest and have consulted with their Anfield counterparts. A group of banner-wielding fans breached security at United’s training ground last week and demanded to speak to Solskjaer.
During a five-minute conversation the United manager assured them that the current owners had the best interests of the club at heart, insisting co-owner Joel Glazer “loves the club”.
Tomorrow’s protests are expected to be more volatile, with those against the Glazers left hating them even more after the club’s failed bid to become part of the ESL.
Solskjaer said: “It’s important that the fans’ views are listened to and we communicate better. But I’m so happy all the clubs have agreed that this shouldn’t be the way of moving forward.
“When the protests are on, it’s important they go in a good fashion and that we keep it peaceful.”
Ed Woodward, below, has assured United fans there will be no attempt to resurrect the botched Super League project. Speaking to a fans’ forum, the outgoing vice-chairman gave a personal apology and said: “I know you will feel angry and let down by the lack of consultation.
“As Joel Glazer said last week, we failed to give enough weight to the essential principles and traditions of sporting merit which are so vital to football.
“We want to restate our commitment to those traditions. I can assure you that we have learnt our lesson from the events of the past week and we do not seek any revival of the Super League plans.”
He has announced his resignation and intends to step down at the end of the year.