Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool, the Premier League, has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 13 (20:15 BST).
The decision means United must play two games in 50 hours. As Manchester United has their home game against Leicester has been postponed to Tuesday, May 11.
The Liverpool game at West Brom, which has been thought to be unsettled by the match, will go ahead as planned on Sunday, May 16.
Thousands of United supporters have protested against the ownership of the Glazer family at Old Trafford. And the club’s hotel before the Liverpool game on Sunday, forcing him to leave.
Police said six police officers got injured during the protests. Which also saw an estimated 200 supporters breaking into the stadium.
Sunday’s game, scheduled to start at 16:30 BST, was the first Premier League match to be postponed due to fan protests.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it was an actual “difficult day” for them. Adding that fan protests should always be “improved” in the future.
Despite rumors that there may be a disruption to their travel plans, United arrived at the airport. On their flight to Italy for the Europa League semi-final match against Roma without any problems.
The Rome game kicks off United’s busy schedule now.
The Rome game kicks off United’s busy schedule now, second in the Premier League table. And they will have to play four games in eight days. Including a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday:
Thursday, May 6 (20:00 BST): Roma v Man Utd (Stadio Olimpico, second leg of Europa League semi-final)
Sunday, May 9 (14:05 BST): Aston Villa v Man Utd (Villa Park, Premier League)
Tuesday, May 11 (18:00 BST): Man Utd v Leicester City (Old Trafford, Premier League)
Thursday, May 13 (20:15 BST): Man Utd v Liverpool (Old Trafford, Premier League)
Meanwhile, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers says he is not worried about continuing United fans’ protests. And the possible disruption to their move to Old Trafford next week.
Asked about the need to strengthen security at the Foxes squad, Rodgers said: “We have no worries.
“We saw the protest last weekend. We condemn any violence that appeared on this day.
But certainly, for Manchester United fans, it has been a source of frustration for many.
Many years for them, and they come out to support the club. And keep their role within that.
“But for me, when we go next week, we have no problem at all. We look forward to going there and playing this game.”
What had happened?
It was the first time a Premier League match had been called off due to fan protests.
Fans had gathered outside the ground and the masses of green. And gold flares – the colors of United’s first shirts when it got built as Newton Heath in 1878.
And the first protests against the Glazer in 2010 – were removed at 14:00.
The protests followed a decision by United, along with five other Premier League clubs, which joined the European Super League (ESL) last month before leaving.
Supporters are not allowed into the grounds because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, some United fans got onto the Old Trafford pitch to protest.
Even though they got removed, some then made it back onto the grass later on.
The United fans had also gathered at the Lowry Hotel, where their side’s players were staying before the match.
Why were there protests?
There had been a long-running campaign against the Glazer family since the American takeover in 2005.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to fans who had entered the club’s training ground in Carrington, protesting against the owners.
Following the collapse of the European Super League, United Nations chairman Joel Glazer said the club had “apologized for not holding back.” But the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said it “had no confidence in its owners.”
In the pre-Liverpool protests, they MUST say, “they have been the culmination of 16 years since the Glazer family found the club.”
He added: “After unspecified ESL proposals, as well as ‘apologies’ from Glazers that we do not accept. We need to give fans a visible role in United’s identity and a clear voice on running.
“The government now needs to do something. That would mean a process that would allow fans to buy shares in their team.
“And, so far, not a single independent shareholder in charge of most of our football teams allowed them to abuse that ownership.
“The government must reflect the views of ordinary people. Who see that now is the time to bring back the game of the people.”
What was the reaction of the fans?
“It’s a pandemonium,” said United Muppetiers podcaster coach Mike Parrott at Old Trafford before the game got postponed.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. On the other hand, that’s how the protests work out. That you need to send a message, but it’s also not good.
“Breaking the cameras, breaking glass, and rushing the stadium. All these terrible things were not what Manchester United fans wanted to be associated with.
A fan of the Old Trafford protesters told BBC Sport: “When the Glazers arrived in 2005, the club had no debt. A few years later, he was talking about a £ 400m debt.
“You look at this stadium, and it’s a good stadium. But there is rust, it falls, and they don’t care at all. There is no contact with the fans.
“They said they would contact the fans. But last week there was a public meeting of supporters, who did not attend.
“I think we are doing this in the best possible way.”
