LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has defended Manchester United fans from ‘lazy’ criticism over Sunday’s Old Trafford protest.
An estimated 10,000 angry Red Devils supporters demonstrated outside the ground before Sunday’s axed Liverpool clash, demanding the Glazer family sell up following the failed European Super League project.
The protest was largely peaceful, however a few hundred fans invaded the pitch, with a flare being thrown towards the Sky Sports studio.
While police confirmed two officers were left injured in violent clashes, including one hospitalised after beng slashed with a bottle.
The majority of pundits appeared to lend their backing to the angry group of protestors as the game was eventually postponed.
But ex-Red Graeme Souness wasn’t too positive, saying: “I think (the anger) is out of United not being top dogs as much as what happened (with the ESL) last week.
“It’s only since Fergie stopped that the success has stopped and I think that irritates supporters and they have become the focus of their anger. I think it’s slightly misdirected.”
However, fellow Sky Sports pundit Carragher has dismissed Souness’ comments as ‘lazy’, claiming United fans had every right to be angry and protest
He responded on Monday Night Football: “I really want to get this message across. This is not the European Super League for me.
“The supporters who really felt this more and marched on stadiums (after Super League) are Manchester United and Arsenal – that’s because they had a huge problem with their owners before this.
“This was the tipping point. Other supporters are very angry with their owners, but don’t necessarily want them out. I think it’s different for these two clubs, because of that.
“I’ve listened to a lot this morning and I watched other things. I’ve got no problem with people having a different point of view or a different opinion from me, because it’s nuanced what happened yesterday. But get the facts. Please. When you are going to talk about this, know what’s going on.
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“This talk of Manchester United fans only doing this because they are not challenging for the top honours… Supporters formed another club – FC United. That was at the height of this when it started.
“The green and gold campaign was in 2010, I think, when David Beckham came back to the club. The year before that, they were in the Champions League final. The year after they were in the Champions League final. So let’s not… lazy punditry, that’s what I call it.
“If you’re going to speak about something and you’re going to speak about something passionately – and you can have your opinion – back it up with the facts.
“This is nothing to do with where Manchester United are in the league. Yes, there’s been a decline, obviously, but this campaign has been going on for a long, long time, from when Manchester United were very, very successful.
“So let’s not accuse Manchester United fans of just throwing the toys out the pram because they’re not competing with [Manchester] City or in the Champions League, whatever it may be. That is absolute nonsense.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
