Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called on the team’s fans to be more “civilized” with their protests after violence marred a demonstration against the club’s American owners that forced the postponement of a Premier League match with Liverpool.
Acting again as United’s spokesman on Wednesday amid continuing silence by the Glazer family, Solskjaer defended the right of supporters to protest and accepted there needs to be better dialogue between the fans and United’s leadership to rebuild their frayed relationship.
Solskjaer, though, said things went too far on the concourse outside Old Trafford on Sunday when baton-wielding police clashed with fans, some of whom managed to breach the biosecure perimeter of the stadium and get on the field ahead of the Liverpool game, causing it to be postponed. Six police officers were injured, with one sustaining a fractured eye socket and another a facial wound after glass bottles were thrown.
Manchester United fans protest outside the Lowry Hotel where team was staying during a protest against the Glazer family, owners of Manchester United, before their Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Sunday, May 2, 2021. Manchester United supporters stormed into the stadium and onto the pitch ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool as fans gathered outside Old Trafford to protest against the ownership. The match later called-off. (AP PhotoRui Vieira)
“We have to listen, we have to hear the fans’ voices,” Solskjaer said. “It’s everyone’s right, but it has to be in a civilized manner, though, a peaceful manner.
“Unfortunately when you break in, when police officers get injured and scarred for life, that’s too far. And when it gets out of hand like this, it is a police matter. It’s not about showing your opinions anymore.”
Angry at the Glazer family’s involvement in a plan to set up a breakaway European Super League, the protesters have renewed their demands that the owners sell United. There has been long-held fan disgruntlement at the debt that has been loaded onto the club following the 2005 takeover by the Glazers, costing United more than 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) in 16 years along with dividends to the owners.
Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road in Leeds, England, Sunday April 25, 2021. The match ended 0-0. (Peter PowellPool via AP)
Co-owner Joel Glazer said in an open letter to fans he was “committed to rebuilding trust with our fans” and Solskjaer said work has started behind the scenes to open some dialogue.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see we have challenges and frictions and things that have to be dealt with, with communication,” Solskjaer said. “Other individuals than me have started already — we have discussed with the fans, we are communicating with fan groups, which is going to be massive for us going forward.”
“They have all accepted it came out wrong and was the wrong thing to do,” Solskjaer added about the Super League scheme, “which is a start. Let’s continue.”
Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road in Leeds, England, Sunday April 25, 2021. The match ended 0-0. (Peter PowellPool via AP)
United is waiting to discover if the club will be punished for the game getting postponed. A new date for the fixture has yet to be set.
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