Game called off last weekend: Manchester United’s tie against last season’s champions Liverpool was controversially postponed after fans ent...
Game called off last weekend:
Manchester United’s tie against last season’s champions Liverpool was controversially postponed after fans entered Old Trafford 11 days ago.
The protest originated as a response to the clubs’ attempt to take Manchester United into the breakaway Super L-eague, along with five other English clubs. While nothing came from the attempted coup, fans across the country have seized on the blatant disregard for club roots to demand change at ownership level.
What started as a protest outside of Old Trafford quickly became far more serious when hundreds of fans managed to make their way onto the pitch just hours before kick-off. After discussions over safety between the two clubs and Greater Manchester Police, the game was called off for safety reasons, with both sets of players still in their respective hotels.
Supporters protest against Manchester United’s owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England on May 2, 2021, ahead of their English Premier League fixture against Liverpool. – Manchester United were one of six Premier League teams to sign up to the breakaway European Super League tournament. But just 48 hours later the Super League collapsed as United and the rest of the English clubs pulled out. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Extra precautions this time around:
With just two weeks of the season left, neither side can afford another postponement. And it seems as if Manchester United are taking drastic action to ensure that the game goes ahead.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the players have arrived at Old Trafford far earlier than the two hours that is the norm. Driving themselves to the ground, the report claims that some players arrived as early as 2pm for the 8.15 kick-off.
To keep fans off the scent, however, the Team coaches on which the players would normally travel made their journeys as usual, devoid of any players.
Ole pleads for peace:
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjear has pleaded with Manchester United fans to let the game go ahead as normal, saying that:
“Security measures are being looked at, of course, and I hope that we can keep the protests – if there are protests – down to loud voices, nothing violent,”
“We want to listen. The players want to play the game.”
It will be fascinating to see the extent of fan protests ahead of this evening’s affair. Some may feel that they have already made their point, whilst others will continue to try and make their voices heard as they seek to remove the Glazers from their club.
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