Manchester United fans staged a “small and peaceful” protest outside the club’s training ground on Friday. About a dozen fans gathered outside Carrington to protest against the Glazer family, which owns the club. New protests are expected at Old Trafford on Saturday ahead of United’s Premier League clash with Norwich. Ralph Rangnick said fans have a “right to express their opinion” and understand their “disappointment” with the club’s seventh place. United have won just three of their last 12 games in all competitions – they lost 1-0 to Everton last Saturday – and are sure to fall short of last season’s 74 points. “We know football is a game of passion and emotion,” said interim manager Rangnik. “I think we can all understand that our fans are disappointed with both our place in the table and the performance we showed against Everton. “But I think our supporters are among the best, if not the best in England, and as long as they are protesting peacefully and as long as they support the team on the pitch, I think they have the right to express their opinion. “I can understand that they are disappointed.” BBC Sport football reporter Simon Stone reported that the fans mingled with autograph hunters as they deliberately slowed down traffic trying to enter the training complex. The club closed its regular access gates in a bid to avoid a repeat of the scenes a year ago when supporters had access to the main buildings and finally had a meeting with then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskier. The reporters who arrived for the interim director Rangnick’s press conference were led to a different route. “There was a small and peaceful protest outside the Carrington training ground today,” said a spokesman for the club. “We respect the views of the fans and remain committed to strengthening our commitment to them.”

Matic will leave United in the summer

Former Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic has told the club he wants to leave this summer. United paid 40 40 million to sign Matic from Chelsea in 2017, but have made just 13 starts in all competitions this season. The 33-year-old signed a three-year extension in 2020, but the last year of this contract was optional. “After much thought, I decided this season would be my last with Manchester United,” he told social media.external-link. “Now I will give everything until the end of the season to help my teammates finish as strong as possible.”

Shaw could miss the rest of the season

Luke Shaw has made 27 appearances in all competitions for United this season. United and England left-back Luke Shaw could miss the final weeks of the season after undergoing surgery to remove the metal spikes after his double-leg break in 2015. Shaw lost to Everton last weekend, a week after being sent off at halftime in a United draw with Leicester. Rangnik said he expected the 26-year-old to be out for “at least another four or five weeks”. “It will be difficult for him to be available for great games,” he said.