Manchester United vs Liverpool POSTPONED – BBC SPORT
Liverpool
Manchester United v Liverpool POSTPONED
Writer James Hunsley
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United’s match against Liverpool was postponed following fan protests. AFP
Following extensive protests from around 200 Man Utd fans inside Old Trafford and at the teams’ hotel Hotel Lowry, a decision was taken between police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs themselves to postpone this Sunday’s match.
Hundreds of fans managed to make their way into the ground, chanting “we want Glazers out.” Large numbers of supporters had also gathered outside the stadium and there were clashes with police as they moved in to disperse the crowd.
“Following discussion between the police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerations around the protest today,” United said in a statement.
“Our fans are passionate about Manchester United and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest. However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff and the police in danger. We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.”
The match had been due to start at 16:30 local time, but had been delayed by over an hour before the decision to call the match off was confirmed.”The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches. “Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today have no justification.”
Manchester City could have been crowned Premier League champions on Sunday had United lost the match.
Anger reignited
Anger towards the Glazers has been reignited by United’s part in a failed European Super League (ESL) project, that collapsed within 48 hours last month due to a backlash from fans, players, governments and governing bodies.
United and Liverpool were reportedly two of the leading drivers behind the project that sought to guarantee top level European football for 15 founder members every season without the need to qualify on the pitch.
In a rare public statement, United co-chairman Joel Glazer apologised to fans last month for signing up to the ESL. “You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right,” he said.
“Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.”
United fans also breached security at their club’s training ground in the days after the ESL proposals were made public to protest against the Glazers. The Americans have owned United since a controversial leveraged takeover in 2005 saddled the club with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt.
As the English giants have paid off huge interest payments, the Glazers have still regularly drawn out millions in dividends from their shares. United fans wore green and gold colours to matches early in the Glazers’ reign, the colours of Newton Heath, the club founded in 1878 that eventually became Manchester United 24 years later, as a sign of protest.
Green and gold scarves and flares were back at Old Trafford on Sunday, while there were a number of banners aimed at the Glazers. United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has already announced he will be leaving his role by the end of the year amid the fallout from the failed ESL project.
“There’s huge discontent, not just across Manchester United fans, but I think for football fans up and down the country and I think they are just saying enough is enough,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
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Liverpool’s Slot faces first test at Man Utd, ‘world-class’ Arsenal host Brighton
BeSoccer 4 hours ago 1.6k
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Arne Slot faces his first major test away to Manchester United on Sunday. AFP
Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces his first major test with a trip to Manchester United, while Newcastle and Tottenham also face off on Sunday hoping to dispel early season doubts over their credentials for a top-four finish.
AFP Sport looks at the best of this weekend’s action in the Premier League:
Dutch duel at Old Trafford
Slot has made a perfect start to the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp with two wins from his opening two Premier League games without conceding. His first chance to seriously impress the Liverpool support comes at one of Klopp’s least favourite grounds as English football’s two most successful clubs face off at Old Trafford.
Despite Liverpool largely enjoying the superior league position during Klopp’s near nine-year reign, he won just two of his 11 away games to United. That run included a 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final exit and 2-2 Premier League draw last season that precipitated a Liverpool collapse in his final few months in charge.
Yet the pressure is arguably even more on the Dutch manager in the other dugout. Erik ten Hag was backed by those at the top of United’s new sporting structure at the end of last season despite finishing eighth – the club’s worst ever Premier League performance. Hope of a new dawn for the Red Devils has been diminished in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Joshua Zirkzee’s late winner on his debut at least ensured a winning start against Fulham, but a 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend had many of the same hallmarks that have seen United struggle previously under Ten Hag. Another damaging defeat at home to fierce rivals will put the former Ajax boss’ future back on the agenda just three games into the new season.
Spurs’ Newcastle nightmares
Tottenham’s last two trips to St James’ Park have resulted in 6-1 and 4-0 thrashings by the Magpies. Both sides have four points from their opening two games but have a point to prove to further their ambitions of returning to the Champions League next season. Newcastle battled past newly-promoted Southampton 1-0 with 10 men on the opening weekend but were lucky to emerge with a point from a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe’s men also needed penalties to get past Nottingham Forest in the League Cup in midweek and there is frustration on Tyneside at their inability to strengthen in the transfer market. Newcastle have the financial might of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund behind them but have been restricted by the need to meet profit and sustainability rules.
Tottenham cruised past Everton 4-0 last weekend but a 1-1 draw at Leicester exposed familiar vulnerabilities for Ange Postecoglou’s men on the road as a combination of missed chances and careless defending cost them all three points.
Big-spending Brighton to trouble Arsenal?
Two of the four sides still with a perfect record meet at the Emirates as Arsenal host Brighton. The Seagulls have become accustomed to having their best talents picked off by richer rivals in recent years but this time it is Brighton who have been one of the biggest spenders in the division. New boss Fabian Hurzeler has been backed with a near £200 million ($264 million) spending spree on eight new signings.
That investment has been met with an immediate reward in wins over Everton and United, but 31-year-old Hurzeler is aware of the step up in class his side face on Saturday. “They’re one of the best teams in the world at the moment,” said the youngest manager in Premier League history. “They don’t have a lot of weaknesses, they have quality and solutions for all phases.
“We’re going to need a really good day. We’ll need individual performances, a great togetherness. We go there to win because my squad has the potential.”
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Arsenal v Brighton (11:30), Brentford v Southampton, Everton v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Fulham, Leicester v Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest v Wolves (all 14:00), West Ham v Man City (16:30)
Sunday
Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Tottenham (both 12:30), Man Utd v Liverpool (15:00)
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