MANCHESTER UNITED received a police escort to the airport as they flew out to Italy for their Europa League semi-final second leg against Roma.
The Red Devils were afforded the extra safety measures just days after fans stormed Old Trafford in protest against the Glazers causing Sunday’s Premier League match against Liverpool to be postponed.
A police van was seen trailing the team bus as it headed for Manchester airport.
It comes after raging fans blocked the squad from leaving their city centre Lowry Hotel on the weekend as they tried to get their point across with players only leaving with a police escort at around 7.15pm.
Around 200 made it onto the turf at the Theatre of Dreams with a police officer being slashed in the face with a bottle thrown by a protester, flares being let off and footage of vandalism spreading online.
Cops confirmed two officers were left injured as violent clashes marred the largely peaceful protests outside the stadium.
An estimated 10,000 gathered en masse outside Old Trafford to protest against the club’s American owners the Glazers in the wake of the failed European Super League.
Protestors have caused a number of high-profile security breaches with a group also making their way into Carrington on April 22.
The recent unrest has followed widespread outrage caused by the money-grabbing closed-shop Super League idea.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to calm down furious fans at the club’s training complex after supporters blocked the entrance armed with a banner which read ‘We decide when you play’.
Around 20 men bypassed security and made their way to the first team training pitch where they unveiled banners which read ‘Glazers out’ and ’51 % MUFC 20′ which refers to the German-style ownership of clubs which gives fans a stake in their club.
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Discontent has been triggered by the Super League debacle with co-chairman Joel Glazer quoted in the breakaway league’s original press release but fans have always had a strained relationship with the club’s owners since the 2005 takeover.
Fans could protest again with reports they are planning further attacks with more demonstrations scheduled for the home game against Leicester on May 12 as well as potentially the rearranged Liverpool fixture.
An open letter to Joel Glazer was published by The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) which accused him and his family of ‘driving United into debt and decline’ as they demanded a greater say in decisions.
They also urged him to reply to them by Friday.
United face Roma in the Italian capital on Thursday with a hefty four-goal advantage following the 6-2 thrashing at Old Trafford last week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is finally set to end his semi-final hoodoo after losing FOUR on the bounce, including to Sevilla in the same competition last season.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
