Man United suffered two losses in the Premier League last week and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has partly blamed the protesting fans for the drop in intensity.
Manchester United have been protesting against the club’s owners ever since the European Super League debacle and courtesy of pitch invasions and blocking the players’ hotel, the fans even forced the Man United vs Liverpool game to be postponed.
Last week on Tuesday, Man United went down to Leicester City and then two days later, they suffered a 2-4 loss to Liverpool(the rescheduled match). And now while speaking to the press Solskjaer has pinned part of the blame on the protesting group of fans.
“I just didn’t want to use that[the protests] 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 said, as quoted by The Guardian.
“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 in-between, 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.
“It’s never nice to see a club that is not united. We’re hoping Tuesday is going to be a positive day and that we move together.
Flares. Chants. #Glazerout Banners.@ManUtd fans continue their large-scale protest against the Glazers before the Red Devils' clash against @LFC but there was a stronger policing presence to prevent the supporters from storming onto the pitch. pic.twitter.com/JGBbMjAua9
— FOX Sports Asia (@FOXSportsAsia) May 14, 2021
“The mood in any club and the relationship between the team and the fans is vital to what happens on the pitch. Hopefully the players will give the fans a reason to cheer. That’s what we have to focus on. It’s a big game for us in that respect.”
It will be naive to say that the Man United players should not be affected by all the protests but in the end, they are all professionals and to be honest, in both the losses United played some pretty average football. Also, both these matches were being played inside empty stadiums so naturally the players did not feel the negative energy from the fans while they were on the pitch.
Thankfully, United have already secured a top-four finish so these six dropped points will have no major impact on their Champions League qualification.
Next up, Manchester United will take on Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday and the Old Trafford fans will finally be allowed to enter the stadium for the first time this season.
We are sure the homes fans are going to demonstrate their anger against the Glazer family once again despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urging the fans to get behind their team.
