Man Utd put beds inside Old Trafford to avoid players getting caught in protests

Manchester United turned the corporate boxes at Old Trafford into bedrooms to allow players the chance to attend the ground early and rest without the fear of getting caught up in fan protests prior to their clash with Liverpool.

United's fixture with the Reds was yet again targeted by fans looking to voice their displeasure at the Glazers' ownership of the club and their decision to join the Super League.

Less than two weeks after the fixture was originally scheduled to take place but had to be postponed following riots in and outside the ground, fans again gathered outside Old Trafford looking to disrupt the 20:15 kick off.

A repeat of the original demonstrations had long been speculated and The Athletic report that United turned their corporate boxes into bedrooms to allow players to arrive early and reduce the risk of being caught up in such protests.

The Red Devils squad usually stay at The Lowry Hotel before home games before being transported to the venue by bus, though the club were unwilling to take such a risk given the events that unfolded less than a fortnight ago.

United players are said to have driven themselves to the ground and arrived more than six hours before kick off, meaning there was no chance of a repeat performance and the Premier League clash could go ahead as planned.

Liverpool had also prepared for such an eventuality and they sent a decoy bus to the team hotel - which was subsequently blocked and had its tyres punctured - allowing the bus which the players had boarded to travel safely to the ground.

Despite all players arriving at the ground safely, the demonstrations outside the ground threatened to boil over and there were reports of individuals acting aggressively towards others despite the large police attendance.