Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has mocked Manchester United fans plotting a protest ahead of the Premier League game between the two clubs.
The #EmptyOldTrafford hashtag has been used by United supporters planning to boycott the league game between the sides on August 22. It's United's next home game after their defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League opener, and empty stands would be noticeable on TV broadcasts.
The campaign is designed to voice frustration at the ownership of the Glazer family. It comes after a vocal protest was launched outside Old Trafford before the Brighton game, which United proceeded to lose 2-1.
Jose Enrique, who played for Liverpool between 2011 and 2016, shared a video from the 'lfcfanagram' Instagram account on his own profile. It makes reference to the hashtag, before comparing the concept of a deliberately empty Old Trafford to the empty seats visible in the stadium during last season's corresponding fixture.
On that occasion, Liverpool won 5-0 at Old Trafford in what ended up being one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final games as United manager. A number of home supporters were seen flocking to the exits long before the final whistle, as Mohamed Salah's hat-trick and Paul Pogba's red card were lowlights of a miserable afternoon for the 13-time Premier League champions.
The reasons for the upcoming protest are, naturally, very different to the reasons fans left during the Liverpool game last season. Still, the ex-defender couldn't resist having a dig.
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As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the #EmptyOldTrafford efforts are being led by Man Utd fan Aidan Walsh. It is far from the first time a protest has affected a game between United and Liverpool, with fan actions prompting the postponement of a meeting towards the end of the 2020-21 season, while supporters have also launched protest ahead of other fixtures at Old Trafford.
“Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest," a Man Utd statement at the time read. “However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger.
“The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance," it continued. "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."
