Manchester United are reviewing their use of the Lowry hotel before home games and their other security arrangements after last Sundayâs protests caused the postponement of their match against Liverpool.
United stay at the Lowry, in the city centre and a 20-minute drive from Old Trafford. While it is understood that the club has been contacted by other hotels in the area to offer their services, United are taking advice from Greater Manchester police and their own security staff.
Unitedâs next home match is Tuesdayâs visit of Leicester City before Thursdayâs rearranged fixture with Liverpool when fans are planning another protest outside the stadium.
Last Sundayâs disturbances reflected deep disaffection with the clubâs American owners, the Glazers, and resulted in a number of individuals breaking into Old Trafford and injury to police officers.
The protest was widely condemned, and Ole Gunnar SolskjĂŚr, Unitedâs manager, was asked if the club are considering different arrangements for the Leicester fixture. âWe want to keep it as normal as possible of course, because you like to prepare for games in a certain manner,â he said. âItâs impossible to prepare as we normally do with only one day in between the games. So the prep will be different but the off-field stuff hopefully weâll keep it as normal as possible.â
Because of the Liverpool game being rescheduled, United face a hectic schedule of four matches in 10 days starting with Sundayâs trip to Aston Villa and ending with Fulhamâs visit on 18 May.
After their league season ends against Wolves on 23 May, United face Villarreal in the Europa League final three days later, having sealed aggregate victory over Roma on Thursday.
While SolskjĂŚr did not criticise supporters, he said the hostility towards the Glazers is an issue: âIt makes it more difficult for me and more difficult for the players.
âWe have to focus on getting results and weâve come a long way. Weâve got to a final now and we just want to focus on doing what we do but doing it better. And hopefully the fans will see that we are working in the right way.
âI want us all to come together and unite and get up the table and that is my responsibility. I will do what I can to get us one step further in Europe and one step further in the league.â
He hopes to end the clubâs four-year trophy drought against Villarreal: âWeâve had a long spell with no trophies and no finals and now weâve got a chance and I feel that the team is ready for it.â
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/08/manchester-united-review-security-plan-further-fan-protests-expected