Dugout Discussion

Man Utd v Liverpool postponed after protests in and around Old Trafford

Sunday’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool has been officially postponed following supporter protests inside and outside Old Trafford.

No new date has yet been announced by the Premier League but available windows are thin on the ground.

Thousands of Manchester United fans had been protesting against the club’s ownership ahead of kick-off, with supporters present around the stadium and separately holding up the departure of the team buses from the Lowry Hotel.

A small section of fans had also made it onto the pitch during the demonstration.

A statement from United said:

Following discussion between the Police, The Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerations around the protest today. Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.

Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest. 
 
However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger. We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.

The Premier League added in their own statement:

Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United v Liverpool game has been postponed. This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities. The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance.

We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches. Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today have no justification.

We sympathise with the police and stewards who had to deal with a dangerous situation that should have no place in football.

The rearrangement of the fixture will be communicated in due course.

WHEN COULD THE REARRANGED MATCH TAKE PLACE?

Man Utd v Liverpool kick-off delayed as protesting fans invade Old Trafford pitch 2

Playing the rearranged game tomorrow night (still within Gameweek 34) is one scenario providing security concerns aren’t an ongoing issue and any relevant rearrangements can be made, with the Red Devils still getting a 72-hour window before their rematch with Roma.

Aside from that, the only free slot that Manchester United have is on the weekend of May 15/16 (Gameweek 36) – when Liverpool are in action against West Bromwich Albion.

West Brom v Liverpool could, theoretically, be moved back a few days into the midweek of Gameweek 35, creating a ‘double’ for both teams and allowing Manchester United v Liverpool to take place in Gameweek 36:

Thanks again to Legomane for the graphic.

TEAM NEWS

The teamsheets had actually been released as normal an hour before the scheduled kick-off time.

The headline news was that Diogo Jota (£7.1m) was only among the substitutes, with Jurgen Klopp reverting back to his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 set-up following a dalliance with a more attacking formation last weekend.

Jota was one of two players who dropped out of the starting XI, with Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.3m) also making way.

Nat Phillips (£4.1m) had been passed fit, while James Milner (£5.3m) was recalled in the middle of the park.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line-up showed only one change from the side he sent out to face Leeds United last weekend.

Paul Pogba (£7.6m) returned, with Daniel James (£6.2m) dropping out.

SUNDAY’S OTHER GAMEWEEK 34 ACTION

A match that had very little impact on the upper echelons of Fantasy Premier League went the way of the visitors at St James’ Park.

Thanks to a combination of injuries, rotation and general disinterest in either side, not a single player on show had an effective ownership of greater than 0.27% in the top 10k.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) was back in the starting XI after a spell out with malaria and continued his fine individual record against a listless and potentially ‘on the beach’ Newcastle United, scoring one and fortuitously assisting another en route to a first double-digit haul since Gameweek 24.

A third of his 12 attacking returns this season have come against the Magpies.

Budget FPL midfielder Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) set up the Gabon international’s goal, with the even-cheaper Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) scoring the opener following an Aubameyang miscue.

Bernd Leno (£5.0m), Bukayo Saka (£5.1m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) and Rob Holding (£4.3m) were all either unused substitutes or not involved as Arteta once again ran wild with the rotation with one eye on Europe.

Arsenal were again without Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m), with Arteta offering a pessimistic update ahead of kick-off.


GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,576 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What ever anyone says 2020/21 season was the one to play FPL and it's instructive how so many laudid ones, including upside chasers like Lateriser were unable to rise to the occasion...

    Pragmatism can beat planning on occasions.

    Clearly not a day like today but so be it.

    Sabai, sabai.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can be lucky, can be unlucky ; your position will tell.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gw 16 was even worse for me. I had five Spurs and City players when they were differentials. GW rank over 6 million and I didn't qualify to cup.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This season has not been fun for me personally because of how spaced out every game is, unpredictable postponements & crammed fixture list.

    4. gringo1000
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A good bench. Distribution across teams. Those who have done well in 20/21 have made their own luck.

      The rest of us can just look at and marvel.

    5. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm not sure how you can knock the credentials of Lateriser, nobody gets it right every year!

      1. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He make some poor judgement to be honest. Pick overhype Werner, try a differential like Lookman as a captain and list goes on.

        i never believe LR , Abu Bakar etc. 100%. Even not for 50%.

    6. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Go on then, link your team champ 🙄

  2. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Such a shame keepers can’t come when your bench runs out and play OOP like David James did back in the day, I’d love those 6 dirty Sanchez points

  3. Not again Shirley
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So when is this United v Liverpool game gonna played after today’s postponement?

  4. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah TC??!!!!?? COME ON!

  5. Snizz49
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    This season has a big asterisk behind it... Everyone can prepare for DGW now, while us the good players get punished.. AGAIN!!