Manchester United v Liverpool: Hundreds of fans in anti-Glazer protest at Old Trafford

Hundreds of Manchester United fans protested against the club’s ownership at Old Trafford in the hours leading up to their home match against Liverpool.

The fixture was postponed due to protests on 2 May and similar scenes were expected before Thursday’s game.

The United team arrived at around 14:00 BST in order to ensure stadium access.

Liverpool arrived around 19:00 BST on unmarked buses after the club’s official bus was blocked by protesters on a street close to the stadium.

The official bus was on its way to pick up Liverpool’s squad when it was stopped but the club moved to use its other two coaches to get the players to the ground.

Greater Manchester Police said two arrests had been made.

Manchester United’s players used beds brought into the stadium in order to rest before the fixture.

Reacting to protests before the rescheduled fixture, the club’s former player and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: “Let us be clear with what we are seeing, which is effectively Manchester United turned into a prison.

“It’s a devastating image for the club and its brand around the world.”

United will host 10,000 fans in the stadium when they meet Fulham on Tuesday.

After the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Of course it disrupted us a little bit so it’s not been ideal but we had to deal with it.

“Hopefully when we let the fans in on Tuesday it’s a good atmosphere. We have waited a long time to let them in so we’re looking forward to enjoying the game together.”

Agencies