Kasper Schmeichel urges Manchester United fans to back team despite ownership anger

Kasper Schmeichel has urged Manchester United supporters to get behind the team rather than let ownership protests undermine performances on the pitch, speaking after United’s Champions League comeback win over AS Roma at Old Trafford.

The former Leicester City and Celtic goalkeeper — and son of United legend Peter Schmeichel — acknowledged the depth of fan frustration but argued it was working against the players. “I completely get wanting to protest and all of that, but like I say, for the players, it just doesn’t help,” Schmeichel said on BBC 5 Live. “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.”

United had been booed off at half-time after a flat first-half display before Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, who scored twice, inspired a second-half fightback to overturn a two-goal deficit. Tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch before and during the match, while derogatory chants directed at director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s ownership group rang around Old Trafford.

Schmeichel praised supporters for staying rather than leaving at the interval, crediting their second-half backing with helping to turn the tie. “Once the first goal went in, that was enough to create the atmosphere,” he said. “Now the fans have their chance to influence what’s going on on the pitch for the next game.”

The win offered some relief for manager Michael Carrick, who has come under mounting pressure following Premier League defeats to Como, Bournemouth, and Chelsea. Chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox have also become focal points for supporter discontent, alongside the continued anger directed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.

Schmeichel was careful not to dismiss the protests outright but stressed that context matters heading into difficult fixtures. “You are coming up against a very good Aston Villa side,” he noted. “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.”