Manchester United have insisted improving their relationship with fans is a priority in a statement released after their ill-tempered victory over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick as United overcame a Canaries comeback to win 3-2 and boost their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League. The game was played against the backdrop of a toxic atmosphere as supporters protested against the club's owners, the Glazer family.
Many Red Devils fans are bitterly opposed to the Glazers and tensions boiled over in the wake of last year's European Super League debacle when a protest led to Old Trafford being stormed. Unrest with the owners has only increased this season as a result of poor on-pitch results and a trophy drought, which extends back five years.
A fresh demonstration against the Glazers was planned after last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Everton and Mirror Sport understands police had to be called to United's Carrington base on Friday after angry fans breached the training ground's security. Ahead of the fixture against Norwich, over 2,000 supporters gathered and some lit of flares to vent their displeasure with the situation in the Old Trafford boardroom.
There was a hostile mood inside the ground, too, with Paul Pogba booed by home fans as he was substituted midway through the second half, after United had squandered their two-goal lead. There were also chants of "you're not fit to wear the shirt" directed at the hosts before Ronaldo summoned the winner with a free-kick and ensured he took home the match ball. In response to the bitter atmosphere at Old Trafford, United released a statement reaffirming the right of fans to protest as well as their desire to challenge for silverware once again.
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"We are working hard to create the conditions for renewed success on the pitch while strengthening our engagement with fans," a club spokesperson told BBC Sport . "We respect the right of fans to voice their opinions peacefully and we will continue to listen to them, with the aim of working together to get the club back to where we all want it to be: competing for trophies."
While United secured a valuable victory over relegation favourites Norwich, their rivals in the top-four race dropped crucial points. Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Brighton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off and Arsenal lost at Southampton via the same scoreline. This leaves the Red Devils three points behind fourth-placed Spurs and ahead of the Gunners on goal difference, although the latter have a game in hand.
