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'Idiots and troublemakers' | Peter Schmeichel on Old Trafford protesters

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has given his thoughts on the protests at Ol...



'Idiots and troublemakers' | P...
Soccer

'Idiots and troublemakers' | Peter Schmeichel on Old Trafford protesters

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has given his thoughts on the protests at Old Trafford on Sunday that led to the postponement of United's fixture with Liverpool.

The United legend criticised those fans who stormed the stadium and encouraged supporters to voice their opinions in a more appropriate way.

"I don't think the die-hard fans were the ones inside the stadium," Schmeichel told CBS Sports.

"I think they are idiots, troublemakers. None of them will remember the good times. Some of them weren't even born when the Glazers took over the club.

"The die-hard fans, the true fans, keep voicing your opinions, but keep it at a proper level. Don't be stupid about it. Don't demand something which is unrealistic. Keep up the pressure, keep up the ideas.

"What we have learned from the last two weeks is, if we stand together and we show our opposition to ideas that we don't agree with, as a massive group, it does have an effect.

"I think football, not just Manchester United, is at a crossroads now.

"There is this incredible opportunity now to change direction. Something that I think it has needed for a long, long, long time."

Schmeichel

Schmeichel is unsure though if a change in ownership is possible and believes that fans should engage with the Glazer family to restructure the club.

"The club will be, I don't know, three, four, five billion dollars? Who's got that kind of money to buy the football club?," he said.

"If you look at potential buyers, are they going to make it much better? Is it going to be different. There are examples, but they never bought in at that price tag.

"I would much rather that we work with the Glazers, because I think there is a willingness within the family. Work with the Glazers to make this football club what this football club is supposed to be.

"I think everyone feels that the Glazer family is a little bit too detached from the club. They are there now and again, but they are not there every week. You never see Joel Glazer come out in front of the cameras and talk about the club, and I think that frustrates the fans a lot.

"We have this ownership, but from the outside, it looks like the owners don't care, that it is just about money. I don't think that's completely the case. I think they are very proud of their ownership of Manchester United. I just think there is a need now for a restructuring of how it's being operated."

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