Solskjaer: The Protest Affected Players

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United’s recent defeat may have been due to problems off the pitch but hopes fans can provide a boost for his side for the match against Fulham early tomorrow morning.

The Red Devils lost at home in English Premier League (EPL) action to Leicester City and Liverpool last week in 48 hours amid protests by supporters against the club’s owners.

Fans forced the initial clash with Liverpool two weeks ago to be postponed after demonstrations inside and outside Old Trafford.

United should change their pre-match plans for a rescheduled clash with Liverpool and a defeat to Leicester to ensure their players are in the stadium early before kick-off.

Solskjaer admitted the disruption affected his squad and just before United welcomed their supporters back to Old Trafford for the first time in 14 months, the Norwegian-born operator called for unity from their 12th player.

“I don’t want to use that as an excuse because we lost two games but definitely this is the reason behind the performance,” Solskjaer said in a press conference yesterday.

“I’m not saying that it doesn’t affect them, but I’m impressed with how professional they are and how they do it.

“I feel the atmosphere at any club and the relationship between the team and the supporters is very important to what happens on the pitch.

“The players are all human, we are all human, and we will respond to get our supporters back in a positive way.

“They always give us extra energy and hopefully the players give the fans a reason to cheer and that’s what we have to focus on. This is a big match for us.”

Meet Fulham will see the presence of 10,000 supporters for United’s last home game of the season as coronavirus restrictions continue to decline in the United Kingdom.

A win for United would guarantee second place in the Premier League for the second time since Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 season.