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      Seven Man Utd kids Sir Alex Ferguson tipped for stardom from Darren Fletcher to Luke Chadwick and what happened next

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON is one of the greatest football managers of all time.From being one game from the sack at Old Trafford to transforming the club into a real European heavyweight, Fergie’s tenure will go down in history.
      Sir Alex Ferguson tipped big things from a few players who never quite reached that levelCredit: Reuters
      But the great man did make one or two mistakes along the way.
      From signing the likes of Bebe, Eric Djemba Djemba  and Gabriel Obertan to the infamous David Beckham boot-kicking episode, there were some colourful times during his 26 years at the club.
      After winning the Premier League in 2001, the boss was full of beans for the future.
      Fergie tipped seven youngsters from the United youth team that he predicted were destined for greatness.
      He said: “Darren Fletcher, who we hope will get over his broken leg, is good. Michael Stewart and Luke Chadwick are doing very well, and John O’Shea’s doing well too.
      “There’s a young left-back called Paul Tierney who’s doing well, as is Danny Pugh.
      “But there’s a young boy who has started now, he’s 16, called Kieran Richardson. He’s going to be a fantastic player.”
      Some lived up to his billing but sadly others failed to make the grade. We take a look at who was a hit and who missed the mark.
      John O’Shea
      Mr Versatile, O’Shea even played in goal during his time with United.
      Far from being a flop, O’Shea featured 256 times for the club between 1999 and 2011.
      The Irishman moved on to Sunderland where he captained the Mackems, but couldn’t stop their slide down the leagues.
      O’Shea joined Reading for one season in 2018 before retiring and joining their backroom staff, where he is currently first team coach.
      John O’Shea went on to have a decent Man Utd career without ever really bossing itCredit: Empics
      Darren Fletcher
      A capable midfielder who perhaps never got the credit he deserved for his workmanlike performances in the middle of the park.
      Incredibly the Scot managed to play at the top level while suffering from a serious bowel condition.
      He won five Premier League titles as well as the Champions League during his 342 appearances in 11 years for United.
      Fletcher went on to play for West Brom and Stoke before retiring at the age of 36. Now, he’s technical director at Manchester United.
      Darren Fletcher did his njob without too much fuss, and went on to become a Scotland internationalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Luke Chadwick
      Once talked about as Beckham’s successor, it’s fair to say Chadwick failed to live up to even half of that billing.
      He did feature 38 times in United’s first-team, but that mostly came in cup competitions and coming off the bench.
      Chadwick went on to play for West Ham, Stoke, Norwich, MK Dons and Cambridge United before dropping into non-league to finish his career with Soham Town Rangers.
      The 39-year-old is now coaching in Cambridge’s academy but hit headlines after revealing his sadness at being mocked on the BBC quiz show They Think It’s All Over – earning an apology from presenters Nick Hancock and Gary Lineker.
      Luke Chadwick never quite filled David Beckham’s boots at Old TraffordCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Kieran Richardson
      Fergie described how Richardson would go on to become ‘a fantastic player’.
      Like O’Shea and Fletcher, Richardson can look back on a pretty successful career, even making eight England appearances and scoring twice.
      He made 81 appearances for United between 2002 and 2007, and went on to play for Sunderland, Fulham, Aston Villa and Cardiff.
      Kieran Richardson never really made it at Old Trafford, but did make eight England appearancesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Danny Pugh
      Pugh had the honour of making his debut for United when he replaced the legend that is Ruud van Nistelrooy in a Champions League game against Maccabi Haifa in 2002.
      But he went on to feature only another six times before being shipped out to Leeds as part of the deal that took Alan Smith to Old Trafford.
      Pugh also played for Preston, Stoke, a second spell with Leeds before floating down the leagues.
      He is currently coaching at Port Vale after seeing out his playing days with the League Two club.
      Danny Pugh spent most of his career outside England’s top flight after leaving UnitedCredit: Action Images
      Michael Stewart
      A defensive midfielder in the time when Roy Keane was bossing the opposition as well as the dressing room, Stewart was always going to find it difficult to break through.
      The Scot made eight appearances for United between 1998 and 2005 before being moved on to Hibs permanently.
      He joined their great rivals Hearts in 2007 where he stayed for three season, before a spell with Genclerbirligi in Turkey and his career ended in 2011 after a nine-game stint at Charlton.
      Capped four times by Scotland, he later applied to be a candidate for the Scottish National Party in the 2015 general election – but failed to secure the nomination.
      Michael Stewart had the small matter of Roy Keane to try and displace from the midfield spotCredit: Eddie Keogh

      Paul Tierney
      After shining at youth levels at United, Tierney made only ONE first-team appearance – in the League Cup against West Brom in 2003.
      The right-back joined up with Scottish side Livingston in 2005 but was flogged on to Blackpool when they were relegated from the SPL.
      After a loan spell with Stockport, he was released by the Seasiders. Tierney ended his career with a three-game stint with Altincham.
      Paul Tierney made a solitary appearance for United in the League Cup before moving to Livingston in 2005Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Man Utd’s best ever foreign XI featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Kanchelskis, but no Tevez or Fernandes

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have boasted some of the finest foreign players to ever grace the Premier League.The likes of Eric Cantona, Jaap Stam and Cristiano Ronaldo have all cemented their legacy at Old Trafford.
      Only one player from the current Manchester United side has made the XI
      Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly the star man for the current crop of Red Devils, managed by another iconic foreign import Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      But just who are the club’s greatest non-British players?
      United End editor Tom McDermott has already given his say on the club’s best British XI in the Premier League, and now he’s chosen a star-studded line up made up of foreigners:
      Peter Schmeichel
      Could it have been anyone else? David De Gea and Edwin van der Sar are the obvious contenders, but Schmeichel is the outstanding choice.
      The £505,000 signing from Brondby was the finest keeper on the planet for several years, and probably left sooner than he should after Champions League glory in 1999.
      Patrice Evra
      Evra has five Premier League titles, three League Cups, five Community Shields and a Champions League medal in his locker from his time at the club.
      But, you’d never have thought that would be possible after his disastrous debut away to Manchester City in 2006.
      The Frenchman started the match, but was substituted at half-time after a horrendous opening 45. It did though prove to be a minor blip in an outstanding United career.
      Jaap Stam
      Ferguson’s best foreign defensive signing. The defender was sold to Lazio in 2001, which Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted was an error.
      Stam had everything required to be a great central defender and was pretty much unbeatable on his day.
      The image of Inter Milan’s Ivan Zamorano backing into him during the 1998/99 treble season still brings a smile to my face.
      Jaap Stam is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Nemanja Vidic
      Had Stam’s strength and ability to read the game, but perhaps not the pace.
      That said, he went on to forge a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the defence, and during that period established himself as one of the best central defenders in the word.
      Antonio Valencia
      Signed from Wigan as a winger, but ended his United career as a right full-back. The move probably prolonged his time at the club and he adapted his game accordingly.
      Just to be clear, Valencia was no ‘Gary Neville’ but his strength and speed meant that he was quickly able to get himself out of tricky defensive situations.
      Andrei Kanchelskis
      One former United player who played with Kanchelskis said that the winger just appeared to get faster and faster when in possession of the ball.
      He’ll always be remembered for his hat-trick against Manchester City in 1994, but disruptive representatives meant that his stay at Old Trafford ended sharply and he was sold to the blue half of Liverpool.
      Paul Pogba
      I toyed with Ander Herrera, Juan Veron and even Anderson, but Pogba starts because of his role in helping United claim their first ever Europa League title in 2017.
      On his day, he’s world class, but the frustration is that we don’t see it often enough. It’ll be interesting to see how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fits him around Bruno Fernandes in the years to come – although he has recently discovered his top form.
      French midfielder Paul Pogba has spent much of the season on the benchCredit: PA:Press Association
      Cristiano Ronaldo
      Arguably United’s greatest foreign signing of the Premier League era. Ronaldo terrorised defences and secured his first Ballon d’Or while at the club in 2008.
      Ronaldo, now at Juventus, went on to become a real icon of the game and United supporters will never forget the contribution he made for them, particularly in the final few seasons before heading to Real Madrid in 2009.
      Eric Cantona
      The pied piper was the final piece of the jigsaw that helped Ferguson’s United secure their very first Premier League title.
      It was a surprise to secure his signature from Leeds United, but of equal surprise after such a turbulent career, was his ability to embrace the Old Trafford stage in such a way.
      Cantona was absolutely vital to Ferguson’s first period of domestic success. Who knows what might have happened if he hadn’t signed.
      Ruud van Nistelrooy
      Van Nistelrooy was the ultimate centre forward. You only need to look at his goalscoring record to see that.
      Paul Scholes recently mentioned that Van Nistelrooy would be annoyed after a game if he found out that Arsenal’s Thierry Henry had scored more goals than him that afternoon.
      That says all you need to know, because he was a goal machine who always wanted one more than what he got.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy spent three seasons together at Old TraffordCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Robin van Persie
      Van Persie just edged ahead of Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov because of his outstanding 2012/13 season where his goals shot United to a twentieth league title.
      United was the right move at the right time for Van Persie who helped provide departing manager Ferguson with his final trophy at the club.
      Van Persie talked about the ‘little boy inside of him’ screaming for a move to Old Trafford. The little boy managed to fulfil his dream, and in some style.
      *Follow Tom McDermott – United End editor on Twitter here…

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      Jose Mourinho’s incredible tactic to stop Cristiano Ronaldo revealed as Chelsea beat Man Utd in 2007 FA Cup final

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      SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS has revealed just how Jose Mourinho masterminded Chelsea’s 2007 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.And it was all down the flying winger’s DEFENSIVE skills…
      Mourinho turned to Wright-Phillips’ defensive skills as Chelsea beat Man Utd in the 2007 FA CupCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Chelsea won their first FA Cup under Jose Mourinho in 2007 after slowing down Cristiano RonaldoCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      During Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, the Special One had already guided the club to two Premier League title and two League Cups.
      But he was yet to get his hands on the FA Cup.
      And in 2007, Mourinho’s Chelsea went up against Man Utd in a bid to break that duck.
      Standing in his way, though? A 22-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
      The ex-Sporting Lisbon winger had scored 23 goals and added a further 21 assists in a scintillating 2006-07 campaign.
      Wary of Ronaldo’s pace and attacking prowess, Mourinho turned to an unlikely source to slow the Portuguese whiz down – speedy winger Wright-Phillips.
      In 2020, the former Manchester City winger explained how Mourinho urged him to ditch his attacking instincts and stick to Ronaldo like glue.
      Wright-Phillips, now 39, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Through the week leading up to it, obviously we did all the tactical work and build-up play towards it.
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      Wright-Phillips, third from right, was able to help keep Ronaldo quiet as Chelsea on the 2007 FA CupCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      “But [Mourinho] spoke to me and he pulled me aside and he said, ‘look, if you do start or you do play we need a different job from you in that game.’
      “Because if I remember correctly, Ronaldo was still at United… so he had been on fire for a few years.
      “And [Mourinho] basically said, ‘we need you to focus more on defending and keep him quiet, and if you do that right, the chances are we win the game.’
      “So I basically just attacked when I could get the chance but my main focus was on helping my full-back.”
      But for Wright-Phillips, the sacrifice was worth it as Chelsea went on to win 1-0 after extra-time thanks to an 116th-minute winner from Didier Drogba.
      The 36-cap former England winger added: “It was weird going into a game with a more defensive mind-frame than attacking mind-frame.
      “But at the end of the day, sometimes you have to sacrifice what you do best for the good of the team and it benefited us and we came away with the win.
      “So for me, sometimes you got to get on with it and dig deep.”
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      Roy Keane claims he played with only FIVE world-class players at Man Utd and Cristiano Ronaldo was NOT among them

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      ROY KEANE played alongside some of Manchester United’s biggest names – but the Irishman claims just five were world class.And Cristiano Ronaldo was NOT one of them.
      Roy Keane says Denis Irwin was world class but left Cristiano Ronaldo off his list
      Keane, 49, made the stunning revelation after United were held to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in September 2019.
      The Irishman captained United during a historically successful period for the club and won the Premier League seven times with the Red Devils.
      Jamie Carragher posed the question in the Sky Sports studio and Keane’s answer surprised fans watching at home.
      Keane said: “We never gave ourselves an opportunity to talk about players being world class.
      “But if I look back now, you’d have to class Giggsy [Ryan Giggs].
      “I always class the world-class players as lads who were doing it for nine, ten, 11 years – obviously Giggsy’s done it for a lot longer but to me, that’s the key to being a really good player: you’ve got to be consistent.

      “We see players now, they have a good month and patting themselves on the back.
      “You have to be good for years and years, and Giggsy would have been a prime example.”

      The former Republic of Ireland international then described Mark Hughes as a ‘brilliant striker’ before adding Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona to the world class list.
      But he saved his old friend, roommate and fellow Irishman Denis Irwin until last, saving special praise for the full-back.
      Keane gushed: “My god, imagine if Denis Irwin was playing now.
      “He could play left-back, right-back, get you a goal, knew how to defend, never injured, a brilliant guy in the dressing room.
      “Denis would be world-class to me – and he’s a Corkman!”
      The omission of Ronaldo will come as a surprise to most as the Portuguese superstar was the first Man Utd player to win the Ballon d’Or since George Best in 1968.
      And he also scored 118 goals in 292 games for the Red Devils and helped deliver their last Champions League title in 2008.
      However, he only spent two years with Keane at United and perhaps didn’t have long enough to impress the notoriously hard-to-please club legend.
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      Man Utd ‘preparing £68m Marcos Llorente transfer offer with Atletico Madrid offering midfielder new deal to keep him’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly preparing a £68million bid for Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente.The Red Devils are known to be huge admirers of the 26-year-old, having first targeted the midfielder in January 2020.
      Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente is a reported summer target for Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
      Llorente has been instrumental for Diego Simeone’s men this season with Atletico on the brink of winning their first LaLiga title since 2014.
      The ex-Real Madrid ace – who won the 2018 Champions League with Los Blancos – has chipped in with 13 goals and 12 assists in 43 games in all competitions this term.
      His fine form hasn’t gone unnoticed, and United were reportedly set to turn their interest into a formal offer in March.
      And now the Mirror have stated the Europa League finalists are ready to make a £68m bid to secure Llorente’s services.
      United could double his wages to £180,000-a-week as they look to entice him to Old Trafford.
      Such is Atletico’s concern that Llorente could be tempted into leaving, AS have reported that the Spanish side are poised to offer him a new contract.
      His current deal doesn’t expire until 2024, but the club’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil is said to have met with the player’s agent several times in recent weeks about extending his stay.
      Should Atletico fail to convince the ex-Alavas loanee to remain, it has been rumoured that potential suitors will have to fork out his mammoth £103m release clause.
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      According to Marca, Atletico will issue a hands-off warning and have no intention of listening to any offers for their key man.
      They add the only way United have a chance of landing his signature is by forking out his whopping buy-out clause.
      As well as Llorente, United have also been linked with a shock move for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
      The England international is currently on loan at West Brom where he has been deployed in his preferred central midfield role.
      But it is understood that United, like the Gunners, view him as a right-back.
      And United are believed to be keen on signing Maitland-Niles to provide cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

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      Edinson Cavani leaves door open to future Boca Juniors transfer after signing Man Utd contract extension

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      EDINSON CAVANI hasn’t shut the door on a move to Boca Juniors after admitting the talk of him signing for the South American giants at the end of this season were ‘real’.The Uruguayan forward, 34, ended the uncertainty around his future earlier this week by signing a new, one-year £250,000-a-week contract at Manchester United.
      Edinson Cavani has left the door open to a future move to Boca Juniors despite signing a one-year, £250,000-a-week contract extension at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Cavani has broken his silence about the months of speculation leading up to his decision by admitting being far away from his roots and loved ones often played on his mind.
      But he said he could end up wearing the Boca Juniors shirt if the Argentine club still wanted him in an interview with Uruguayan radio programme 2 de Punta.
      Cavani told journalist Marcos Vitette: “The possibility I was going to sign for them was real.
      “But I was always clear. What has been said and printed is half true, half lies.
      “Sometimes it’s like that. But the chance was real.”
      MAN UTD TEAM-MATES PLAYED ROLE
      Insisting he had been talking with Boca Juniors vice-president Juan Ramon Riquelme for years, when he was still at Paris Saint-Germain, Cavani said: “Has the door with Boca been left open?
      “I haven’t closed it. You’d need to ask Boca if the door is open.
      “But today the reality is what it is, I’m at Manchester United and I’m fully focused.
      “There are moments when you need to be near your roots and your loved ones.
      “There’s not a year goes by when I don’t think about it.
      “But the decision is a mixture of things, the affection of the people, the attitude of the club with me and my family, my teammates asking me to stay, the manager.”
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      Man Utd confirmed on Monday that Cavani had signed a one-year extension.
      On signing the contract, the striker said: “Over the season, I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents.
      “I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here.
      “They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.
      “From the very first moment that I arrived, I felt the confidence of the manager.
      “As a player, this belief gives you the perfect opportunity to play your best football and I want to thank him for that.
      “I have been touched with how much the supporters have wanted me to stay, and I will give everything to bring them happiness and joy with my performances on the field.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer claims ‘world class’ Man Utd ace Edinson Cavani will be even better next year More

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      Man Utd prodigy Arnau Puigmal set to QUIT on free transfer four years after beating Barcelona to 20-year-old wonderkid

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      MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Arnau Puigmal is reportedly set to QUIT the club – just four years after the Red Deviuls beat Barcelona to his signature.The 20-year-old has been eyed by LaLiga side Almeria with him failing to make the grade at United.
      Arnau Puigmal is set to call time on his Man Utd dreamCredit: Getty – Contributor
      MailOnline reports that Puigmal ‘is now destined to return to Spain’.
      His contract at United is up in the summer, and despite impressing for the U23 side, he has failed to make the step up into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team plans.
      Big things were expected of the Spaniard when he joined from Espanyol in 2017.
      Then head of academy Nicky Butt was full of praise for the promising talent in the early stages.
      He said: “He has a great attitude to learn and he has quickly picked up English, which will be a great help to him going forward.
      “It is clear to see that he has all the attributes to develop into a top player and have a fine future ahead of him.”
      He has not made his first team debut yet but has been included in United’s Europa League squad.
      He has also appeared for Spain’s U19 side and has made three appearances so far.
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      Puigmal has not done enough to bag a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-teamCredit: Getty – Contributor

      He was spotted by Espanyol at the age 10 in 2010, and immediately progressed through the Barcelona club’s youth set-up showing lots of promise among his peers.
      Puigmal then turned heads at the 2017 Mediterranean International Cup – a tournament where Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas starred in previous editions.
      Espanyol stunned Manchester United by beating them on route to the final, with Puigmal bossing the midfield.
      Then, he went one better – getting on the scoresheet against La Liga rivals Barcelona to lift the trophy.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Old Trafford ring of steel in full flow as Man Utd players arrive seven hours early for Liverpool clash More

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      Man Utd stars arrive at Old Trafford SEVEN HOURS early for Liverpool clash after beefing up security following protests

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      MANCHESTER UNITED stars arrived at Old Trafford SEVEN HOURS early for their rearranged clash with Liverpool after stadium security was beefed up.Earlier this month, furious fans broke into inside the Theatre of Dreams during heated protests against the club’s owners.
      United stars arrived at Old Trafford seven hours before their game with Liverpool following a ring of steel being built around the groundCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Man Utd players were forced to make their way through a huge security presence at Old Trafford following last week’s violent scenesCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Players were escorted into the ground surrounded by security and a strong police presenceCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Juan Mata was seen arriving at Old Trafford in his Aston Martin shortly after 1pm ahead of Thursday’s 8.15pm kick-offCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The violent scenes – which saw a police officer’s face slashed – forced the game to be postponed.
      An earlier protest saw around 20 supporters walk into Carrington and speak to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      And now, to avoid any complications, Man Utd players were seen arriving at Old Trafford shortly after 1pm for the 8.15pm kick-off after a 10ft ring of steel was erected around the stadium.
      The stars turned up in their own cars after a decoy bus had arrived to throw potential trouble-makers off the scent.
      Bruno Fernandes, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood were just some of the stars seen driving through the sea of security and police on Thursday’s afternoon.
      United officials took advice from police to bolster their security ahead of their clash Leicester on Tuesday – a 2-1 defeat.
      And the reinforcements will remain in place for Thursday’s game with the Reds, with further protests feared.
      It’s thought fans managed to break into Old Trafford earlier this month via the Munich Tunnel, where they pushed down barriers and made their way onto the pitch.
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      Police watched on intently as players arrived at Old Trafford following a ring of steel being erectedCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Mason Greenwood drove into Old Trafford in his Mercedes through a sea of security measuresCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Bruno Fernandes drove his Mercedes into Old Trafford with security and police watching onCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      Reinforced structures have now been placed around the ground in a bid to stop future break-ins.
      Police are expected to be present in large numbers ahead of the game against Liverpool, as they were for Leicester.
      Ahead of the game, players have been sworn to secrecy as to their arrival plan – with some staff even kept out the loop to ensure there were no leaks.
      Man Utd go into the game just 48 hours on from their 2-1 defeat to Leicester.
      Having played just two days before that game – in a horror run of three matches in five days – Solskjaer fielded a hugely weakened side for the loss at home to Leicester.
      Despite criticism, Thursday’s opposition boss Jurgen Klopp refused to pile on.
      The outspoken German even went as far as siding with the Norwegian despite United’s loss severely denting Liverpool’s top-four hopes.
      Police and security patrolled the streets around Old Trafford to prevent any further fan protestsCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Klopp said: “Playing Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday is a crime.
      “If we do not make it into the Champions League, it will not be the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or his players.
      “It will be our fault because even in this season, in which we have had so many injuries, we really should have been five or six points better than we are.
      “I know Ole made ten changes but I would have done the same thing — I expected him to do that.
      “This is the end of a long season already and then you get Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and it’s just not right.
      “So it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even if it means we now need to get a few favours if we are going to make the top four.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man Utd launch anti-protest operation as ring of steel is created around Old Trafford More