UNITED’S RING OF STEEL
Club builds 10ft wall outside Old Trafford ahead of Leicester match to keep angry fans out
MANCHESTER United have built a ring of steel around Old Trafford to keep anti- Glazer protesters out of tonight’s game against Leicester and Thursday’s visit of Liverpool.
They are trying to stop a repeat of the violent demonstrations that forced the Liverpool fixture to be postponed nine days ago and left six police officers injured.
A 10ft red wall has been erected at the south- east corner of the stadium — where protesters twice broke in and got on to the pitch — as well as the north forecourt in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. Steel barriers have also been put in place as part of the heightened security operation.
United were reluctant to take such extreme measures, but felt they were left with no choice. Having prepared for a peaceful protest last time, only to see it descend into violence, the club want to ensure the two games this week go ahead safely.
Further demonstrations are expected against the club’s American owners, although it is understood there is more concern about the rearranged Liverpool game than tonight’s match.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reiterated his plea for peace and calm after seeing it largely ignored by fans who attacked police and forced their way into Old Trafford.
‘Security measures are being looked at and I hope we can keep the protests — if there are protests — down to loud voices and nothing violent,’ said Solskjaer.
‘We want to listen, the players want to play the game. We’re playing Liverpool and, of course, we want to beat Liverpool and we want to beat Leicester. So we’re going to do everything we can for our fans to celebrate what we’re doing on the pitch.’
Greater Manchester Police are on standby in case of more trouble after one officer suffered a life-changing eye injury during the last protest.
A police spokesman said: ‘ We have reviewed our approach again following the events of last weekend and planned appropriate resourcing to ensure the safety of all those present.’
Meanwhile, Solskjaer insisted it would be unfair to blame him if he puts out a weakened team tonight for the first of two games in the space of 50 hours.
Having fielded a strong line-up at Aston Villa on Sunday, the United boss is expected to make changes against Leicester, who are battling with Liverpool for a top-four place.
‘Talking about integrity in the league and stuff, don’t blame me when I have to make changes because I have to,’ he said. ‘It’s not safe for them to play all four (games in eight days) so I have to prioritise. If I do play this 11 on Tuesday and then again on Thursday, I run too much of a risk in injuring them.’
Solskjaer will wait until this morning before deciding on his team, after he has assessed the players, but expects to include youngsters in the squad.
‘They’re in contention, definitely,’ he added. ‘They’re in the firstteam squad, they’re training with us every day, so I would think that some of the young boys will get an appearance, definitely.
‘If it’s coming on towards the end or it’s starting, I don’t know because I don’t know how the players will be on Tuesday when we see them.’
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers understands where Solskjaer is coming from.
‘I have empathy for Ole,’ said Rodgers. ‘It’s a hell of a schedule to play last Thursday, then Sunday, Tuesday and then Liverpool on Thursday.
‘It’s tough physically for the players — no matter how big a squad you have, it’s a difficult turnaround.’
Rodgers will rely heavily on his senior players to ensure Leicester keep their calm as fans worry about a repeat of last season.
The Foxes’ poor form after the spring lockdown saw them drop to fifth in the table on the final day of the season after spending the entire campaign in the top four.
They were beaten 4-2 by Newcastle on Friday and failed to beat Southampton’s 10 men a week earlier, ea but they were helped by West Ham’s home defeat by Everton Ev on Sunday and will move eight points clear of the fifth-ifplaced Hammers if they can win wiF at Old Trafford.
Former United defender Jonny Evans Ev is a doubt after aggravating a heel problem in the warm-up before be the defeat by Newcastle.
Rodgers added: ‘Players like Kasper K Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and an Jonny are very experienced. When you are challenging at the top end of the table or for trophies, tr the concentration level has h to increase.
‘We are very close to achieving what we want but we know we have to fight and we have made it difficult di for ourselves.’