Liverpool bus blocked off by cars and ‘has tyres punctured’ ahead of Man Utd clash

Man Utd: Solskjaer's message to fans ahead of more protests

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An official Liverpool bus that was on its way to Old Trafford has reportedly had its tyres punctured after being blocked in by two vehicles in a Manchester side street. It is not yet clear whether the Liverpool players and staff were on board at the time, with a similar coach still said to be at the team hotel ahead of the match that kicks off at 8:15pm.

There was a heavy police presence surrounding the streets of Old Trafford after the Premier League clash on May 2 was postponed due to disturbances both inside and outside the ground.

More trouble was forecasted ahead of tonight’s game as Manchester United supporters attempt to drive the Glazer family out of their club with protests.

Some of the Manchester United squad arrived at Old Trafford earlier this afternoon and were instructed to stay there until the game.

Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood were among those pictured arriving.

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A number of decoy runs had also been carried out by the Manchester United team coach in a bid to confuse protesters.

However, a Liverpool bus was stopped in its tracks by two cars as a small group of United fans attempted to cause further disruption.

The Athletic’s Daniel Taylor was live at the scene and reported that the tyres of the vehicle had been let down.

The bus is now back on the move as police worked quickly to clear the road.

United boss Solskjaer made it clear earlier this week that the club were doing everything they can to ensure the fixture goes ahead, while accepting that the fans wish to have their say.

“Security measures are being looked at, of course, and I hope that we can keep the protests – if there are protests – down to loud voices, nothing violent,” the Norwegian said. “We want to listen. The players want to play the game.

“We play Liverpool. Of course we want to beat Liverpool… So, we’re going to do everything we can for our fans to celebrate what we’re doing on the pitch.”

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher was wary that there could be a repeat of the scenes we saw outside the ground at the start of the month when the two sides were scheduled to meet nearly two weeks ago.

“When you protest, it’s to cause disruption and that’s what Manchester United have done on a grand scale,” he told Sky Sports.

“They knew off the back of getting the game cancelled 10 days ago that the Glazers weren’t going to walk out the next day, but what they did was make this a story worldwide. Everyone around the globe was talking about Manchester United getting a game called off, it was unprecedented.

“The protestors, in some ways, did their job.

“Tonight, I’m not 100 per cent sure what will go on, but I’m sure they will be trying to do the same again and send that message out.

“In some ways, I don’t know whether that can continue where you’re trying to get games called off consistently but when you look at those images, it will be something that goes around the world again. With no supporters supposedly coming into the ground, and you still see scenes like that, with the police and stewards outside, you obviously understand that because of what happened 10 days ago.

“Again, it’s another powerful image, again, that Manchester United supporters who are protesting and want these owners out will feel like they have achieved something.”

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