MANCHESTER United fans today broke into the club’s training complex to protest against the failed European Super League project – armed with a banner which read ‘We decide when you play’.
Around 20 furious supporters targeted the Aon training complex in Carrington this morning – just hours before the first team squad were due in for training.
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.
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 protest comes 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.”
A Manchester United spokesman later confirmed Solskjaer met with the fans to listen to their concerns before they agreed to leave.
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He said: “At approximately 9am this morning a group gained access to the club training ground. The manager and others spoke to them. Buildings were secure and the group has now left the site.”
Some fans congratulated the former player turned boss for meeting with them, with one saying: “Love Ole the manager but I hope he doesn’t become the diplomat the Glazers need in the coming days”.
Another said: “Gaffer and the lads are not the problem. If anything they are on our side.”
Coach Michael Carrick, technical director Darren Fletcher and midfielder Nemanja Matic also addressed the players.
A source said: “Ole came out onto a balcony and spoke to the fans and appealed to them to leave so as not to disrupt training. He told them the club were sorry about the Super League and understood their anger. The fans they left of their own accord.”
SunSport understands that fans were told to put their phones away and not to record Ole speaking.
They also told him that they ‘did not need a history lesson about Manchester United’.
Questions were asked regarding Ole’s opposition to the Glazer’s takeover as a player, compared to now.
It’s understood the fans blocked the road the players use to access the training ground by parking a transit van across it, causing the stars to get stuck in a tailback.
The source added: “It wasn’t violent and the training ground staff and players weren’t threatened. It just caused a bit of panic and disruption. The security guards asked the protesters to move the van so the players could get in for training and start preparing for the next game.
“None of the lads put their windows down so there was no interaction with the players except for Nemanja.”
Cops attended the scene but made no arrests.
“The manager and others spoke to them. Buildings were secure and the group has now left the site.”
Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are also understood to have spoken to fans.
Today’s protest was welcomed by some United fans, with Zak7 posting “Well done lads”.
Another wrote: “This is great. Imagine match day.”
Chris added: “Just some lads fighting for what’s rightfully theirs. Not the first time in history, not the last.”
Further fan protests against the club’s American owners are planned outside Old Trafford on Saturday at 3pm.
It’s not the first time United fans have taken direct action against the club.
In January 2020, around 20 fans – believed to be from United’s “Men in Black” hooligan firm launched a protest outside Mr Woodward’s home in Cheshire, during which a firework and a flare were launched into his property.
When news of the Super League was announced United stars Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw were among the players who criticised the way the project had been established, with no consultation with fans.
The Super League collapsed on Tuesday night after fan protests outside Chelsea’s stadium caused the club and also Manchester City to reconsider the plan.
SunSport understands that Woodward was planning on resigning on MONDAY, even before the ESL’s demise.
It is understood that he wasn’t comfortable with the Super League project.
Upon his resignation, he said: “I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world’s greatest football club for the past 16 years.”
He added that it will be “difficult to walk away at the end of the year” but that he is “proud of the regeneration of the club’s culture”.
Woodward, 49, played a big role in facilitating the Glazer’s 2005 takeover at Old Trafford.
He was promoted in 2013, following the departure of club stalwart David Gill.
Amid United’s relative lack of success following the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Woodward has been a regular target for fans’ ire.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
