Manchester United chief executive says action being taken to address supporter anger

Manchester United’s chief executive has told fans he understands the concerns and frustration which led to fresh protests against the Glazer family towards the end of the season.

Supporters again vented their anger against the club’s American owners in matches at Old Trafford as a disappointing campaign fizzled out.

Fans have been protesting against the Glazers since they bought the club in 2005, with supporters still concerned about the debt which was loaded onto the club as a result of the takeover 17 years ago.

More recently, fans were furious about the involvement of the Glazers in plans to launch a European Super League, with a match against Liverpool in May last year postponed after protesters broke into the stadium and invaded the pitch at a fixture which was designated to be played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There has been a greater level of engagement with supporters over the last few months, and executive co-chairman Joel Glazer has attended meetings of the fans’ advisory board in January and April.

Despite that, the protests have persisted.

Chief executive Richard Arnold was asked about the level of bad feeling from fans towards the owners at a supporters’ forum last month and said: “Everyone at the club, from the owners down, accepts that performances this season have been well below what we expect.

“We are taking decisive action to improve things and there is huge commitment and passion across the club to return to where we think we belong – challenging for, and winning, titles.

“We are very aware of how fans are feeling and understand their concerns and frustration. Football is a game of passion and we fully respect fans’ right to make their feelings known, as long as this remains