Fan protests in last 2 matches affected United, says Solskjae
The recent protests by Manchester United fans against the club’s owners did affect the players and contributed to a downturn in results, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday.
United, who are second in the English Premier League table and host relegated Fulham tomorrow morning (Singapore time), lost to Leicester City and Liverpool at home last week, after going unbeaten in their previous 14 league games.
| MAN UNITED | FULHAM |
The match against Liverpool was originally scheduled for May 2, but was postponed after fans forced their way into Old Trafford and stormed the pitch to protest against the club’s owners – the Glazer family.
The protest followed United’s decision to join the European Super League. They were beaten 4-2 by Liverpool in the rescheduled game last Thursday, 48 hours after losing 2-1 to Leicester.
“I just didn’t want to use that as an excuse because we lost the two games, but surely it’s a reason behind the performances and the results we’ve had,” Solskjaer told a news conference.
“Physically, it’s impossible for them to turn up and play at the intensity and the level that’s required because of the amount of games. Then you look at the preparation in between.
“You haven’t had the recovery, you haven’t had the same routine as you normally do. We haven’t done the tactical prep in the same way as we’ve had.”
Despite the tensions off the pitch and the potential for further protests tomorrow, Solskjaer is pleased that around 10,000 supporters will be allowed into Old Trafford to watch the Fulham game.
“I think the mood in any club and the relationship between a team and the fans is vital to what happens on the pitch,” Solskjaer said. “They’ve always been back there, giving us extra energy and hopefully the players will give the fans a reason to cheer.” Red Devils captain Harry Maguire is still out due to ankle ligament damage, but Anthony Martial and Daniel James are back in training.
“We had a couple of days off after the Liverpool match and we’ve welcomed Dan James back and Anthony Martial back so that’s big, big plusses for us,” Solskjaer told MUTV.
While the duo are unlikely to start, they could get some game time to get them ready for next week’s Europa League final against Villarreal. – REUTERS
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