Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
REDS REVOLT
&
ANGRY fans blockaded Manchester United’s training complex yesterday in protest at the club’s failed bid to join the European Super League.
Around 20 supporters arrived at the centre and called for the club’s American owners, the Glazer family, to quit.
They unfurled banners that read “51% MUFC 20”, and “Glazer Out”.
The 51% is a reference to fans holding the majority of voting rights at a club, commonplace in German football.
But after being spoken to by the Old Trafford club’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the group later left the site at Carrington, Gtr Manchester.
Solskjaer was joined by coach Michael Carrick, technical director Darren Fletcher and star Nemanja Matic. Training for players was cancelled.
Manchester United said in a statement yesterday: “At approximately 9am this morning a group gained access to the club training ground.
“The manager and others spoke to them. Buildings were secure and the group has now left the site.”
United were one of six Premier League clubs to sign up to the European Super League. But they withdrew along with Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and
Man City after a furious reaction from fans.
Executive vicechairman Ed Woodward announced he was stepping down in the fallout and co-chairman Joel Glazer, who endorsed the Super League in its introductory statement on Sunday night, issued an open letter of apology to fans on Wednesday afternoon. Glazer, who has not attended a United game in over two years, said: “You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
“Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans.”
The Government finally published plans for its “fan-led review” of football governance yesterday after the row. The panel, chaired by Tory MP Tracey Crouch, will examine whether current tests for club owners and directors are fit for purpose. It will also consider calls for an independent regulator.
Angry Man U fans block complex over ESL plan