Kasper Schmeichel has urged Manchester United fans to back their team but issued a warning that Glazer protests are hurting the players.
Kasper Schmeichel has reasoned with Manchester United fans for protests but called for unity.
Kasper Schmeichel has reasoned with Manchester United fans for protests but called for unity.(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Kasper Schmeichel says Manchester United owner protests is harming performances. However, the son of former goalkeeper, Peter, has reasoned with the demonstrations and has called for unity from the Theatre of Dreams faithful.
Fans at Old Trafford showed their appreciation for a gritty, determined performance as United came from behind to beat AS Roma on Tuesday. Michael Carrick's side earned a much-needed win, overturning a two-goal deficit in the process, to defeat the Serie A outfit thanks to a Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha-inspired comeback.
Michael Carrick's side were jeered off following a lacklustre first-half before Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha (2) sparked a second-half comeback.
The heat is on Carrick following his failure to reproduce the form that secured him the permanent role at Old Trafford. The 45-year-old has retained his position in the dugout despite losses to Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea, while the key decision-makers remain under mounting pressure.
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Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have become the latest targets for criticism, but supporters remain incensed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family's ownership.
Nevertheless, former Leicester City and Celtic goalkeeper Schmeichel believes the frustration being directed towards United's hierarchy is not helping matters on the pitch. He said on BBC 5Live: "I'd still be very tentative, particularly considering your next two games are Aston Villa and Liverpool," reports the Mirror.
"That's a tough ask even if you're on a good run. If you want to force a change, you have to a little bit get on the bandwagon to promote the positivity.
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"I like that the fans, they stayed. They could have gone at half time and been frustrated and missed the traffic, but I like the fact that they stayed.
"And once the first goal went in, that was enough to create the atmosphere. Now the fans have their chance to influence what's going on on the pitch for the next game. Now they have the chance to go and back it up.
"I completely get wanting to protest and all of that, but like I say, for the players, it just doesn't help. So now, if you want your team to do well – which I very much believe they do, nobody wants to come and watch their team lose – now it's about doing exactly what they did second half. Backing the team the same way.
Michael Carrick
It was a big win for Michael Carrick.
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"When things go wrong, let's not get negative straight away. Put things into context sometimes. For example, you are coming up against a very good Aston Villa side.
"So things can go wrong in games, but it's about the reaction. Then, most of all, it's the players' responsibility to give the fans something. Give them something to cheer about and they will respond."
Tennis balls were hurled onto the pitch before and during the European victory, while derogatory chants directed at Wilcox and the United ownership rang out from the Theatre of Dreams. This feeds into the broader frustration felt by United supporters, who believe the club has been poorly managed at the highest levels, as they continue to flounder in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson's exit 13 years ago.
There have been increasingly vocal demands for the likes of Wilcox and Berrada to be held accountable, with the director of football's sole media appearance coming via the club's own channels following a three-match unbeaten run.
Carrick, however, remained guarded when pressed on the matter in October. He said: "I don't think that's for me to say. I've got no problem with how it is for me sitting here and talking to you guys."