Man Utd ponder using ‘decoy buses’ as fears over Liverpool fixture heighten
Manchester United officials are concerned the team bus maybe targeted again by fans on Thursday ahead of the rearranged fixture with Liverpool.
The club’s security team are making sure they take all the precautions they can and are keeping the movements of their players secret. ESPN report that the club are wary of another coordinated demonstration ahead of the game with Jurgen Klopp’s men. The original fixture on May 2 had to be pulled after fans stormed Old Trafford and stopped the team bus leaving the Lowry Hotel.
United’s fans planned the mass demonstration to protest against the Glazer’s ownership and their intention to take part in the European Super League. As many as 10,000 fans are understood to have been present.
And just over a week after the initial demonstration, there are suggestions angry fans could attempt to see the rearranged fixture cancelled.
The Times reported last week that “further attacks” on the club are planned. Hundreds of fans managed to get into the ground and protested on the pitch, while the team’s hotel was surrounded.
United’s players were forbidden from going outside the Lowry Hotel. Some had “offered to leave the hotel to speak to the protesters”. The paper though says United’ security team vetoed the idea.
“It is understood that planning for more demonstrations is already under way. United’s next home game against Leicester on May 12 and the replay of the Liverpool match potential targets,” reads The Times.
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‘Decoy buses’ around Manchester
And while United’s game with Leicester was played without any issues, the club are concerned the team bus may be targeted on Thursday.
The ESPN report claims that “security meetings have been scaled back” to ensure that only the necessary people know the whereabouts of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team
United could also employ a number of “decoy buses” outside different hotels to make sure protestors do not locate the team’s base.
in an effort to stop the players arriving at Old Trafford and forcing the game to be postponed for a second time.
United usually stay Lowry Hotel in Salford, three miles from Old Trafford, before home games. But the squad were not seen arriving before the 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday.
It’s very unlikely United will preside their on Thursday. Instead they will stay at a secret location in the hope that protestors cannot get to the team bus before it arrives at Old Trafford.
Security around Old Trafford has been stepped up with barricades and gates erected outside the East Stand.
READ MORE: Klopp points to ‘crime’ which forced Solskjaer team selection
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