Live

LIVE: OTB Breakfast

07:30 AM-10:00 AM

LIVE: OTB Breakfast
Advertisement
Soccer

WATCH: Roy Keane warns United fan protests can get "a lot worse"

Roy Keane has warned that protests from Manchester United fans are only likely to intensify with ...



WATCH: Roy Keane warns United...
Soccer

WATCH: Roy Keane warns United fan protests can get "a lot worse"

Roy Keane has warned that protests from Manchester United fans are only likely to intensify with the return to stadiums next season. 

Hundreds again gathered outside Old Trafford to make their feelings known regarding United owners, the Glazer family.

That anger has been piqued by the club's involvement in the botched European Super League project.

Eleven days previously they forced the postponement of the Premier League meeting of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Both sets of players managed to arrive on time to the ground on Thursday evening, aided by a heavy police presence.

Despite the ramped up security, a crowd of around 50 people managed to blockade a coach belonging to Liverpool and let down its tyres. The players were not on board.

Joel Glazer has attempted to usher in an era of Glasnost at United, but former club captain Keane says it's unlikely to bear fruit.

Speaking to Sky Sports prior to the Liverpool game, Keane said, "They’re [fans] frustrated by the dividends taken by directors and United fans travel in their thousands, sometimes spending money they haven’t got. All that goes into the mix and there’s certainly no quick fix.

"United fans aren’t finished with this, we saw protests a couple of weeks ago but I think there’s plenty more to come.

"The big worry is when we come back to start the next season and hopefully fans are open to all supporters, you might have 70,000 fans turning up at Old Trafford, frustrated with what’s gone on. Things can get a lot worse yet."

His Sky colleague Gary Neville added, "Let us be clear with what we are seeing (outside the stadium) which is effectively Manchester United turned into a prison.

"It's a devastating image for the club and its brand around the world. Let's note that.

"If you have to put prison walls outside your ground and have hundreds and hundreds of police officers at a game where fans aren't attending, something has gone badly wrong.

"Joel Glazer has said he will communicate with fans, the only two times he has done it previously have been with apologies.

"I am not sure how he is going to be able to do it effectively because he doesn't talk their language, understand where they are at or feel this club.

"They are detached completely from the ethos and passion they feel. It is going to be interesting to see what he will do."

Richard Keys: ‘Ignore Manchester United fan protests’

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

European Super League Gary Neville Glazer Family Joel Glazer Manchester United Roy Keane Super League The Super League