MANCHESTER UNITED have beefed up their security at Carrington after fans broke into the training complex yesterday – and even boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to prove who he was.
As the players arrived for drills today, two security guards greeted them at the entrance.
Even United gaffer Solskjaer was stopped by two burly high-vis-wearing men.
He appeared to be asked to remove his sunglasses to prove he really was the Red Devils leader.
Around 20 supporters stormed Carrington on Thursday to voice their anger at the club’s owners and their attempt to join the breakaway European Super League.
The group made it on to the first-team pitch and refused to leave until manager Solskjaer came and spoke to them.
Technical director Darren Fletcher gave the thumbs-up as he was allowed to drive on in a day after the disturbance, while club captain Harry Maguire looked in a pensive mood behind the wheel.
The supporters who breached the security to get into the AON training complex on Thursday were part of the Manchester Education Committee – the same group that confronted Wayne Rooney in 2010 and targeted Ed Woodward’s home in January last year.
Police were called but stood off when boss Solskjaer – supported by Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Matic – met with the fans.
Asked how he could trust United co-chairman Joel Glazer again after his leading role in the ESL plans, Solskjaer insisted ‘Joel loves this club’.
The claim was met with derision with a number of protestors firing back saying ‘he doesn’t love this club he loves the money’.
MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE
Pictures of the protest were posted on United fanzine Red Issue which wrote: “Utd fans protesting against the Glazers have blocked both entrances to Carrington.”
The men bypassed security and made their way to the first team training pitch where they unveiled two banners which read ‘Glazers out’ aimed at club owners the Glazer family.
A second read: “51 % MUFC 20” which refers to the German-style ownership of clubs which gives fans a stake in their club.
The protest came just 24 hours after United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced he was leaving his position at the end of the season.
And on Wednesday, United co-chairman Joel Glazer apologised to fans for United’s part as a founding member of the attempted breakaway league, which was universally hated by fans from all clubs.
He wrote: You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
“Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.”
The Mirror is reporting that the anti-Glazer movement plot to make another stand a week on Sunday when United host fellow ESL rebels Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Thousands of fans will march from Manchester city centre to the stadium and make their voices heard beside the statues of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.
The report adds a joint-protest alongside Liverpool supporters – usually fierce rivals – has been canned now that both teams announced their withdrawal from the ESL.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
