MANCHESTER UNITED bosses fear militant fans could be planning a summer of discontent which will see them plotting to disrupt the club for months.
Officials have already stepped up security at the club’s Carrington training ground in the wake of around 100 fans breaking into Old Trafford and storming the pitch ahead of the clash against Liverpool.
The protest, along with hundreds more supporters preventing the team bus from leaving The Lowry Hotel prior to last Sunday’s game, led to the fixture being postponed.
Club officials are now concerned fans left furious by the Glazer family’s attempts to join a controversial European Super League could cause chaos over the coming months.
A previous protest saw around 20 supporters walk into Carrington and speak to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A source said: “United’s success is often attributed to the fact they have fans all over the world who come out in droves to support them.
“But what if some of those decide instead of going along to a friendly in America or the Far East, they are going to launch a similar protest.
“It’s very hard to predict and it’s difficult to stop — and it is causing them a huge headache.
“The green and gold protests against the Glazer ownership have been going on a long time.
“The ESL plans have breathed new life into them and show no signs of slowing down.”
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Prior to Thursday’s Europa League semi-final at Roma, security teams feared fans may try and stop the players arriving at Manchester airport.
Rumours also circulated that two HQs belonging to kit sponsor adidas would also be targeted.
The source said: “It’s a very difficult time for the people planning the security around the team and how they travel.”
On Friday, United co-chairman Joel Glazer committed to better dialogue with fan groups after barely speaking to them throughout the 16 years his family have owned the club.
And boss Solskjaer has called for calm — warning any further disruptions could turn a daunting run-in into an impossible one.
United face three games in five days this week as a result of the Liverpool clash being postponed.
Solskjaer said: “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the challenges and the friction ahead — and it makes it more difficult for me and more difficult for the players.
“We have to focus on getting results. I want us all to unite.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
