Manchester United fans will be welcomed into Old Trafford for Tuesday's match against Fulham as coronavirus restrictions ease; last week the club ramped up security around the stadium ahead of the Liverpool defeat to avoid fans breaking into the ground again
Monday 17 May 2021 16:14, UK
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping the return of supporters to Old Trafford will be a positive experience - despite fans' continued anti-Glazer protests in recent weeks.
United ramped up security measures around the stadium ahead of Thursday's rearranged fixture against Liverpool, which was initially postponed because fans broke into the ground as part of demonstrations against the owners.
Old Trafford will welcome 10,000 supporters for Tuesday's visit of Fulham as coronavirus restrictions ease and Solskjaer wants his players to put on a show as they are reunited with the fans.
"We've been waiting for a long, long time to welcome the fans back," said Solskjaer.
"Of course the last couple of home games, especially the Liverpool ones with the protests, it's never nice to see a club that is not united - fans and the team.
"So of course we're hoping Tuesday is going to be a positive day, that we move together, play a good game of football, because that's my job - to prepare the team to play well and that they'll enjoy the day.
"That's important, that we get back and enjoy being together. The mood in any club, and the relationship between a team and the fans, is vital to what happens on the pitch.
"The players, we're all human beings, we'll react to getting our supporters back in a positive way. They've always been back there giving us extra energy, and hopefully the players will give the fans a reason to cheer.
"That's what we have to focus on. It's a big game for us in that respect. Since the last time we had games against Man City, a great game, the atmosphere was the best I've ever felt at Old Trafford in a league game.
"The next time we can welcome the fans back [we hope] it's a positive one."
Manchester United posted on their website on Monday afternoon, asking fans to "behave responsibly" around the game.
Along with outlining a new 'Code of Conduct' designed to keep fans Covid-safe, a message from chief operating officer Collette Roche said: "While some things will change, it's important to stress that our usual ground regulations remain in place.
"We remind everyone that inconsiderate, reckless or anti-social behaviour by anyone visiting Old Trafford will not be tolerated. Club sanctions will apply for the use of flares within the stadium and any pitch incursions or vandalism will result in criminal prosecution.
"Our aim is to ensure that the match passes peacefully and that fans with tickets get to enjoy their return to Old Trafford."
The rescheduled Liverpool match created a fixture pile-up for United, who had to play four matches in eight days.
Solskjaer admits "the last week has been draining", made worse by back-to-back home defeats to Leicester and Liverpool, but says he and his squad are fully focused on securing second place.
The United manager will of course have one eye on the Europa League final against Spanish side Villarreal on May 26, but insists he will not be resting any of his players ahead of the trip to Gdansk.
"Whatever team I pick, it has to be a team, and they have to be players that give everything," he added.
"If you go into a game tentative, if you have something else in your mind - you don't fly into tackles, don't sprint, don't focus as much - there's more of a danger of getting hurt in that kind of position.
"We want to build momentum and confidence. We've lost the last two at Old Trafford. We don't want to go into an important game with bad momentum or bad feeling.
"We use these two games to get results, but also to get confidence."
Solskjaer has also revealed that no decision has yet been made on whether Juan Mata will remain at Old Trafford.
The Spain midfielder, who joined United from Chelsea for £37.1m in January 2014, has played only eight times in the Premier League this season and is out of contract in June.
"I've kept the dialogue with Juan and we're due to speak again very soon," said Solskjaer.
"Of course he's not played as much as he would like and that's a decision we will make with him.
"He's in charge of his own future, he's been such a good servant for the club. But it's hard to leave good players and good people out of the team, and it's about what does he want as his next step in his career.
"Is it to play his career out here or is it to go somewhere else? We haven't made the final decision yet."
