Football news - Protesting Manchester United fans invade Old Trafford pitch ahead of Liverpool game

ByAlexander Netherton

Updated 02/05/2021 at 16:35 GMT

Manchester United's Sunday afternoon Premier League game with Liverpool was thrown into doubt when protests erupted outside the Lowry Hotel, housing the first team squad. There was also a pitch invasion before the game kicked off as fans protest amid the fallout from the European Super League last month. The kick-off time has been delayed due to safety concerns.

Manchester United fans invaded the Old Trafford pitch ahead of their scheduled Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The presence on the pitch followed a protest outside the Lowry Hotel, where United’s players traditionally spend the night before any home match in preparation for games. Fans reportedly blocked off both front and rear entrances at the hotel, and it was unclear if the team coach was prevented from leaving for the match.

Both protests have been organised, as well as a demonstration outside Old Trafford, in response to the European Super League.

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The 16:30 kick-off time has now been delayed due to security concerns, with reports that the match is now in serious doubt.

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Some United fans have a long-held antipathy for the current owners, the Glazer family, as a result of their leveraged buyout of the club over a decade ago, which has seen around £1 billion leave the club in interest payments and dividends.

Sunday’s events come after a previous stunt from supporters, who took to the club’s training grounds and unveiled a banner saying, “We decide when you play.”

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