Two police officers were injured during clashes with Manchester United fans outside Old Trafford on Sunday, Greater Manchester Police have said.

In a statement, assistant chief constable Russ Jackson condemned the protest as “reckless and dangerous” and said the club’s match against Liverpool was postponed due to safety reasons.

Around 1,000 protesters gathered outside the stadium to demonstrate against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, with another 200 attempting to block the team bus outside the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.

A group of around 100 protesters gained entry onto the Old Trafford pitch while outside the ground, bottles and flares were thrown.

“Those in the stadium were evicted by officers but outside on the forecourt hostility grew with bottles and barriers being thrown at officers and horses,” Greater Manchester Police said.

“Two officers have been injured with one officer being attacked with a bottle and sustaining a significant slash wound to his face, requiring emergency hospital treatment.”

Statements from Manchester United and the Premier League also condemned the protests, which came in the wake of the club’s involvement in the proposed Super League.

“The behaviour displayed today by those at both Old Trafford and The Lowry Hotel was reckless and dangerous,” assistant chief constable Jackson said.

“We understand the passion many supporters have for their team and we fully respect the right for peaceful protest. Plans were in place to ensure this could happen safely, but it soon became clear that many present had no intention of doing so peacefully.

“We have launched an investigation and we will be working closely alongside partners to ensure we establish the full circumstances surrounding today’s events and prosecute those responsible.”

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