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Manchester Police confirm Old Trafford arrests, some fans mock the poor

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have confirmed two arrests were made outside Old Trafford on Thur...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

20.13 13 May 2021


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Manchester Police confirm Old...

Manchester Police confirm Old Trafford arrests, some fans mock the poor

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

20.13 13 May 2021


Share this article


Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have confirmed two arrests were made outside Old Trafford on Thursday evening. 

Hundreds of Manchester United fans gathered outside the club's stadium to once again protest against the ownership of the Glazer family.

Numbers were greatly reduced to those seen eleven days previously when a stadium invasion and hotel blockade forced the postponement of United's Premier League game with Liverpool.

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Both teams made it to the stadium without much issue, and the game kicked off on time.

However, two arrests were made for public order offences.

Assistant Chief Constable for GMP, Chris Sykes, said: "We have been working closely with Manchester United and partners to ensure those in attendance outside the stadium are kept safe while exercising their right to a peaceful protest.

"The safety of all those concerned remains GMP's main priority.

"We encourage everyone to remember we are still living under restrictions due to the pandemic and have a collective responsibility to remain safe and protect one another.

"Enforcement remains our last resort, but anyone whose behaviour crosses the boundary into a criminal offence should expect to be prosecuted."

Meanwhile, a number of those protesting the billionaire owners of the club decided to spend their time mocking the poor.

Dozens of United fans, some holding 'Glazers Out' banners sang the derisory "Sign on, sign on" to the tune of You'll Never Walk Alone, which mocks the job situation on Merseyside.

As The Athletic's Simon Hughes observed, "A protest against billionaires by mocking poverty. WELL DONE, LADS. Well done."

Regarding the protests, former United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports, "Let us be clear with what we are seeing (outside the stadium) which is effectively Manchester United turned into a prison.

"It's a devastating image for the club and its brand around the world. Let's note that.

"If you have to put prison walls outside your ground and have hundreds and hundreds of police officers at a game where fans aren't attending, something has gone badly wrong.

WATCH: Roy Keane warns United fan protests can get “a lot worse”


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