OLE CANCELS TRAINING AS FANS INVADE

to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership.

More than a dozen of them blocked the main entrances and held up banners saying ‘Glazers Out’ and ‘51% MUFC’.

It came less than 24 hours after co-owner Joel Glazer wrote a letter of apology to supporters regarding the club’s role in plans to form a European Super League.

Solskjaer was forced to go outside and address the fans who had infiltrated the security entrance, main entrance and even the training pitch – in a bid to keep the peace.

The United boss was left “disturbed” by the incident and, following a meeting with firstteam coach Michael Carrick, technical director Darren Fletcher, along with midfielder Nemanja Matic, decided to cancel the planned training session.

And further protests are planned for United’s Premier League game against Liverpool – who also joined the ESL before pulling out – at Old Trafford a week on Sunday.

Supporters in their thousands plan to march from the centre of Manchester to Old Trafford and protest by the statues of Sir Matt Busby and that of the club’s Holy Trinity – Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.

A planned demonstration with Liverpool fans, groups who are usually fierce rivals, has been scrapped, after the ESL – to which both sets of fans were opposed – collapsed. It is understood Solskjaer yesterday feared fans might return to the complex and was concerned about the welfare of his stars.

United must travel to face bitter-rivals Leeds on Sunday at Elland Road, where police fear home fans are planning a hostile protest against the Red Devils’ role in the ESL plot.

Back in 2005, Solskjaer spoke out against the controversial takeover of United by the Glazers, saying he was “absolutely on the supporters’ side” in opposing the American buyout.

The group demanded to know why Solskjaer, a legend with fans for his last-gasp Champions League winner in 1999, had changed his stance since becoming United boss. Flanked by Matic (left), Carrick and Fletcher, Solskjaer responded by telling the group that Joel Glazer “loved” United.

That was met with derision from the group, who continued their dialogue with Solskjaer and his staff, before being escorted from the training ground having made their feelings known (top).

During the pandemic, clubs have made great play of the importance of their support, with United emblazoning a quote from Sir Matt Busby – “Football is nothing without fans” – on a banner in the Stretford End.

The past few days have shown United have been paying lip service to that maxim. Now the fans are determined to hold them to it and ensure, for once, that they are put first.