Why are they protesting?
United were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a breakaway Super League, only to reverse their decision two days later. On the same day that they pulled out of the tournament it was announced that Woodward would be stepping down from his role.
A large number of United supporters have long wanted the Glazer family to leave their club, but protests have accelerated since the announcement of the proposals.
What have United fans said recently?
On Friday, Manchester United called an emergency fans’ forum where United supporters read out a statement, signed by the “vast majority” of fans, to Woodward before logging off the call.
They statement said the fans have “zero trust” in the owners and that they rejected a recent apology by co-chairman Joel Glazer.
They also implored the club to “willingly and openly engage and promote the government initiated fan-led review of football” as well as calling on Glazer to personally fund the cost of the club’s early withdrawal from the Super League.
What has Solskjaer said?
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s fixture, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stressed the importance of “listening to fans’ views”.
“It’s important that the fans’ views are listened to and that we communicate better,” he said.
“My job is to focus on the football side and that we have the best possible team. As I’ve said before, I’ve been backed, I’ve had great support from the club and the owners and I’m sure I will get the backing again to go one step further.
“But I’m so happy that all the clubs agreed that this shouldn’t be the way of moving forward. Then again, when the protests are on, it’s important that they go in a good fashion and that we keep it peaceful.”
How else have United fans reacted to the Super League?
Hundreds of United fans gathered outside Old Trafford to call on the Glazer family to leave the club last weekend and two days before some fans blocked both entrances to the club’s Carrington training ground.
A series of protestors with flags also accessed the first-team training pitch, ahead of United’s training session on Thursday, April 22.
What about the other Big Six clubs?
The Kroenke family, Arsenal’s owners, have already told fans that they will pay the withdrawal fee incurred from leaving the Super League.
Arsenal fans were vociferous about their unhappiness with the Kroenke family, with thousands of supporters gathering outside The Emirates Stadium before their match against Everton on Friday, April 24.
Ahead of their 1-1 draw with Newcastle last week, Liverpool fans also lined the streets to protest against the FSG owners.
There were similar scenes outside The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recently, when Tottenham fans held out banners protesting the ENIC ownership group.
Is there anything else I need to know?
For a closer analysis of how fans have been responding to their clubs’ involvement with the Super League, Go Deeper below.
(Photo: Barrington Coombs/PA Images via Getty Images)
