Manchester United fans ‘planning further protests against the Glazers’ after Old Trafford break-in which saw derby clash with Liverpool cancelled – as club legend Roy Keane insists that ‘this is just the start’ of backlash towards the American owners
Manchester United supporters have insisted that further action is planned after their protests and storming of Old Trafford on Sunday caused the Premier League match against Liverpool to be postponed, according to reports.
The protests were targeted at the unpopular American owners, the Glazers, and organisers have emphasised Sunday’s events will be followed by further attacks on the club over the family’s ownership and their support for the aborted European Super League, as claim the Times.
Fans stated they felt ‘sidelined and ignored’ after United were criticised for their role in trying to launch the reviled European Super League, although fan opposition to the Glazers has long predated the breakaway competition.
Reports claim Manchester United fans are already planning more anti-Glazer protests
Thousands of fans gathered outside Old Trafford on Sunday to protest against the owners
The Premier League match vs Liverpool set for Sunday was postponed as a result of the events
The Red Devils have stepped up their security protocols at the stadium after around 200 demonstrators burst into Old Trafford, lit flares, threw bottles and clashed with police in controversial scenes, although much of the protest was peaceful.
The Times report that within the United fanbase ‘planning for more demonstrations is already under way.’
It is noted that United’s next home game against Leicester City on May 12 and the replay of the Liverpool match are potential targets for such action. A date for the rearranged fixture with Jurgen Klopp’s side is yet to be determined.
A Manchester United Supporters Trust letter said: ‘No one wants what happened at Old Trafford yesterday to be a regular event. We don’t want to spend our days off work protesting outside our football ground.
Avram Glazer (left) and his brother Joel (right) are unpopular among the Red Devils supporters
And it is reported that planning for further supporter demonstrations is already underway
‘But what happened was the culmination of 16 years in which your family’s ownership of the club has driven us into debt and decline and we have felt ever more sidelined and ignored.’
Manchester United, the Premier League and the FA are all investigating Sunday’s events, with United facing potential sanctions for the security breaches.
A club statement read: ‘After breaking through barriers and security on the forecourt, some protesters climbed the gates at the end of the Munich tunnel, then forced access to a side door in the stand, before opening an external door that let others through to the concourse area and the pitch.
‘A second breach occurred when a protestor smashed the door of a disability access lift, enabling a group to enter the stand.
Red Devils icon Roy Keane stated on Sunday he believed it was just the start of demonstrations
‘The majority of our fans have and will condemn criminal damage, along with any violence towards club staff, police or other fans, and these now become a police matter.’
A Premier League spokesman added: ‘The actions of a minority of those present at Old Trafford on Sunday have no justification and will be investigated by the Premier League and the FA, as well as by the Greater Manchester Police.’
Red Devils icon Roy Keane gave his opinion on Sunday, outlining that he feels the troubling scenes are just a sign of what is to come.
He said: ‘Sometimes you have to put a marker down for people to take notice and this will go all over the world now and people will have to sit up and take note.
‘Hopefully the owners of Man United will say “these fans are deadly serious” and there’s more to come. This is just the start of it for United fans, mark my words.
‘This is just the start for United fans and their plan is for the United owners to give in and sell the club.’
