PM says he ‘understands’ strength of fans’ feeling

Boris Johnson said he understood “people’s strength of feeling” on football and club ownership, after protests caused Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool to be postponed.

Fans broke into the Old Trafford stadium ahead of the game on Sunday and invaded the pitch, in a protest against United’s American owners, the Glazer family.

Bottles and barriers were thrown at Greater Manchester Police officers outside the club’s home ground, leaving two injured, with one needing hospital treatment.

Asked about the scenes on Sunday, the Prime Minister told reporters during a campaign visit to Hartlepool: “I don’t think it’s a good idea to have disruptive behaviour, demonstrations of that kind.

“But on the other hand, I do understand people’s strength of feeling.

“And I think that it’s a good thing that we have been able to do things that make it pretty clear that the European Super League is not going to be appreciated by the people of this country, or by this Government.”

The Red Devils were among 12 clubs that last month signed up for the breakaway European Super League, which collapsed within 48 hours due to huge, unrelenting pressure.

Those plans brought anger against the Glazer family, with fans congregating at both Old Trafford and the Lowry, the team hotel in the city centre, to demand change ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must) has since written an open letter to co-chairman Joel Glazer urging the club owners to engage in fan consultation to avoid a repeat of the scenes.