Manchester United’s supporters are making their feelings known with a significant protest planned
Manchester United supporters are planning a new protest(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
This week provides an opportunity for Manchester United to put their Premier League start to one side as they kick off their Champions League campaign. First up for Michael Carrick and his squad is a meeting with Sabah, the Azeri champions and competition debutants.
United go into the game off the back of a shaky start, especially defensively. They have conceded twice in each of their first three league outings, picking up four points from meetings with Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton.
Their European test will be followed by a huge domestic clash, with Manchester City visiting Old Trafford. A fan protest is planned ahead of the game, with plenty of eyes on Manchester going into the first derby of the season.
We’ve got an update on that protest as well as some news on United wonderkid JJ Gabriel. Here are our latest lines.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
Fan protest planned
Manchester United fan group The 1958 is planning a protest ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby after arguing supporters were unfairly banned as part of a ticket tout crackdown. Participants have been encouraged to gather outside the The Bishop Blaize pub from 3pm for a peaceful protest before the 4.30pm kick-off.
“A line has been crossed,” the group wrote on social media. “Manchester United are sanctioning and banning loyal, generational Reds without, clear and compelling evidence.
“These owners want rid of lifelong matchgoers. Their strategy is clear to see. It’s a cull! We challenged them. We demanded the unproven suspensions stop. They haven’t listened. Show the evidence or lift the bans.”
Giggs opposes Gabriel loan
JJ Gabriel is waiting for his first competitive Manchester United minutes(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Watch Man United vs Sabah on TNT Sports
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
from £25.99
TNT Sports
Manchester United host Sabah FK in their opening Champions League fixture on September 10. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
Former United winger Ryan Giggs believes JJ Gabriel needs to remain part of the first-team set-up this season. Gabriel, 15, helped Darren Fletcher’s Under-18 team reach the FA Youth Cup final last season and is now eligible to play Premier League football but is waiting for a competitive first opportunity after playing in pre-season.
“Well, I think he is sort of a generational talent, he’s got to stay,” Giggs said on Rio Ferdinand Presents when asked if Gabriel should be loaned out. “There’s no point in going out on loan because he’s at the best place and he’d be dipping in and out of the first team, so that experience is invaluable.
“Not only the games and the training, but actually travelling with the team, seeing the expectation of Man United, the focus is so huge on Manchester United, you need to get used to that.
“I think you go on loan when you’re 19, 20, not, you know, the next few years, you expect him to, if he’s going the same way, to be in the first team soon as a regular, not just dipping in and out. Sometimes you have to be patient, sometimes it gets to a point where you just can’t not pick him and not have him train in the first team.”
Join our MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.