United stars disrupted by anti-Glazer protest

MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to put their training ground into lockdown yesterday after protesters staged a demonstration outside the Carrington complex. Police dog handlers were called in to disperse the 30-strong mob who held up banners calling for the Glazer family to get out of the club and branding the current squad ‘a disgrace’. United restricted access to the training ground while order was restored, and some players were kept waiting outside. The incident occurred almost exactly a year after anti-Glazer demonstrators broke into Carrington to protest against the failed European Super League.

It appeared to have been orchestrated by the same fan group, The 1958, who have organised a march to Old Trafford before today’s game against Norwich City, urged fans to boycott the first 17 minutes of the match — a minute for every year of the Glazer family’s ownership. United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick said: ‘Even if they do that, then after those 17 minutes hopefully they’re still backing the team and getting behind us. ‘I can understand it. We all know football is a game of passion and emotions. I can understand our supporters are disappointed with our standing in the table. ‘So far, we haven’t had that situation where they turned their emotions against the team. It’s up to us to show them that we still care.’ United need a win over bottom-ofthe-table Norwich to keep alive their hopes of Champions League qualification before Rangnick hands over to new manager Erik ten Hag. Rangnick praised the work Ten Hag has done at Ajax, but said he didn’t know if the 52-year-old’s appointment is a ‘done deal’. Ten Hag, meanwhile, was reluctant to discuss the situation before tomorrow’s Dutch Cup final against PSV Eindhoven, saying: ‘I serve Ajax — we still need to win the remaining two trophies.’