Disruption and hopefully forcing a postponement of the Manchester United vs Liverpool game that was due to kick off on Sunday afternoon.
I'd say the plan worked.
For anyone who hasn't even done a slight bit of research into the Manchester United fans frustration with the owners of the club it would have been easy to suggest this all came about because the club have struggled ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2013 season.
Easy and lazy to simply believe that is the case.
We have heard many 'expert pundits' state this over the last week, but the likes of Graeme Souness, Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas are not exactly the most knowledgable about the sport they claim to be 'experts' in so it is perhaps no surprise that they were the leading three moving with the 'lack of success' reason for the protests.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have been much more informed and it actually surprises me how so many have forgotten the big displays against the Glazer family that were organised in 2005 and 2010.
2010 in particular came in the season after United had played back to back Champions League Finals (pretty successful period wouldn't you say?!!) and it was the season before they would be back in the Final of that competition.
With that in mind how could anyone possibly solely link the reason down to the Super League and the lack of success?
The Glazer family have been a rotten set of owners with little care about the club outside of how much money they can make from it and anyone who has read the financials of their time in charge at Old Trafford will know what they have done. Manchester United should be a club with the best Stadium and the best training facilities in the world, but instead Old Trafford has been largely left untouched since the owners took charge of this institution and the training ground is nothing on what the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City have put together.
But as long as the Glazers can pay themselves a lovely dividend (only owners in the Premier League who do that by the way) and also pay themselves for consultation fees (what on earth?!!) then they couldn't care less about the success of the club, the fans or the history.
And so there is only one way the fans can remind those at the top about how important they are and how much Manchester United mean to them.
The protests were largely peaceful and I expect further demonstrations to be made before this season reaches a conclusion.
The re-arrangement of the United vs Liverpool game has been set for next Thursday, but I would not hold my breath they kick off on time, if at all, and the hope is that those lot sitting in Tampa Bay will be at least be feeling some of the heat from their actions and inactions over the last sixteen years.
We are into the final month of the season and that also means the final four rounds of the Fantasy Premier League game. I actually had a half decent week, even with the United game being postponed, but I will have more thoughts on GW35 below.
First you can read my views on the Premier League games being played this weekend and those to come during the week when some re-arranged fixtures will be taking place.
Leicester City v Newcastle United Pick: The opening Premier League game of the weekend is a really important one for Leicester City who finish the season by playing Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
A 5 point gap to West Ham United in 5th place may look a decent one with just 12 points left to play for, but those fixtures for Leicester City are dangerous and they cannot afford to drop points here. That was the frustration of only earning a 1-1 draw at Southampton last week, especially as the home team had been reduced to ten men very early on in that fixture, and Leicester City have to be very focused.
A big week is coming up for Leicester City with a trip to Old Trafford moved to Tuesday before the FA Cup Final against Chelsea, but Brendan Rodgers will be urging his team to focus.
Leicester City should certainly have some success against this Newcastle United defence which has been struggling to earn clean sheets and have been offering up some big chances in recent games. The home team have also won 3 of their last 4 Premier League games at the King Power Stadium and I do think Leicester City have the attacking players who can hurt their visitors.
However, Leicester City have to be well aware of their defensive responsibilities and will expect Newcastle United to approach this in a similar way that Crystal Palace did in a recent visit to this part of the Midlands. Players like Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson have the pace and quality to hurt Leicester City as Wilfred Zaha did for Crystal Palace and that has to be an area that Brendan Rodgers is going to be focused on controlling.
Ultimately he has to look for his team to get on the front foot and I think Leicester City will be able to do that. Newcastle United's attitude in the 0-2 defeat to Arsenal suggested the squad do feel they are safe from relegation, while they were very fortunate to not take a hammering at Anfield considering the opportunities Liverpool carved out.
A first half sending off helped Leicester City crush Newcastle United here last season, but I expect this one to be tighter. Even then I think they are playing well enough to get past their visitors who might be looking forward to the end of the season and Leicester City can cover the Asian Handicap in a victory on Friday evening.
Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: The early kick off on Saturday looks like it could produce plenty of entertainment with neither Leeds United nor Tottenham Hotspur looking that secure defensively, but carrying attacking threats across their front lines.
With games running down, Tottenham Hotspur need to win their remaining four League games and hope their rivals ahead of them in the Premier League table feel the pressure and slip up. A win on Saturday would leave them just 2 points off the top four places and knowing Chelsea are visiting Manchester City later in the day so I expect Ryan Mason to select plenty of attackers to try and get the job done here.
They were impressive winners over relegated Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur may benefit from some key injuries in the Leeds United squad. The absence of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha would be huge ones for the home team and certainly make it feel like they will lose some impetus at both ends of the field.
Kalvin Phillips offers strong protection in front of the backline, but without the England international the feeling is that Spurs will be able to exploit some spaces. Gareth Bale, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane are capable of doing that and Leeds United have allowed Manchester United and Brighton to create some solid chances against them.
And at the same time Leeds United have struggled to create a lot of chances without Raphinha which should give the visitors a chance of earning a vital win here.
Leeds United don't have the best home record, but they have played the bigger sides really well at Elland Road even without the fans. Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have all had to settle for draws here, but West Ham United, Leicester City and Everton have found a way to win and I think Tottenham Hotspur will be willing to take the risks to secure the three points.
With their attacking players looking pretty sharp last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur can pick up from where they left off and earn a narrow win in the early Saturday fixture.
Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling defensively which makes it hard to trust them, but they have been creating plenty in recent away Premier League games and have scored two goals in each of their last 3 on their travels. Doing that here should be enough to secure all three points as they look to pile the pressure on Leicester City, Chelsea and West Ham United in the top four race.
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace Pick: This may not be a fixture that will be appealing to the neutrals on Saturday afternoon, but both Sheffield United and Crystal Palace can play with relative freedom and that may open the game up.
Neither team has been able to rely on their defensive efforts in recent weeks and that has meant opponents have been able to create some very big chances against them. With that in mind we could see some goals on Saturday afternoon, although the criticism of both Sheffield United and Crystal Palace has to be the lack of consistency they have shown in the final third.
Both teams have been putting in a real effort down the stretch and even the distraction of the end of the season has yet to have an affect on the player's mentalities.
However, it is the lack of quality in the Sheffield United team that has largely seen them exposed and even in winning efforts at Bramall Lane they have needed to ride their luck.
Wilfred Zaha's potential absence would be a big blow for Crystal Palace, but they have pace and power in the final third that should pose enough problems for Sheffield United and work a way to break down their hosts.
Sheffield United simply do not create as many big chances as other teams in the Premier League and the first goal is likely to be a key one in the contest. My feeling is that Crystal Palace can get that here and they have scored in 5 of their last 6 away Premier League games which makes it difficult to imagine them losing this fixture.
The more consistent threats are expected to come from the visitors in this fixture and Crystal Palace may be able to earn a narrow win.
Manchester City v Chelsea Pick: The narrative around this Premier League fixture will be that it is a dress rehearsal for the Champions League Final to be played later this month, but that will fail to appreciate the importance of this game.
Manchester City can win the title with a victory on Saturday, while Chelsea are still in for a fight to earn a spot in the Premier League top four and can't afford to drop points to open the door for West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool piling up behind them.
In saying that, I would expect Chelsea to pick the stronger team all in all with Thomas Tuchel likely to select a similar line up to the one that beat Manchester City in the FA Cup Semi Final last month. That game was played days after a Champions League Quarter Final First Leg and Chelsea made fewer changes than Manchester City, although the situation may have dictated that.
One factor was that Manchester City were only leading Borussia Dortmund 2-1 from their Champions League Quarter Final First Leg and had to visit Germany, while Chelsea had won the 'away' game against Porto 2-0 and looked good to progress.
Pep Guardiola perhaps trusts more of his squad than Thomas Tuchel too which helped him decide to ring the changes, but this fixture is different with no midweek game to prepare for.
That is not the case for Chelsea who have a much busier end to the season than Manchester City, although I don't think Guardiola will want to give too much away as to how he may set up for the Champions League Final.
It certainly makes it harder to pick a winner, but what has been evident in recent weeks is how much focus both Manchester City and Chelsea have had on being hard to break down. I don't think either manager will want to give too much away and this may be a real tactical battle unless an early goal sparks the entire occasion.
A point might not actually be a bad result for Chelsea with this being the most difficult game remaining on their schedule and they have only conceded three goals in 8 away Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel.
Manchester City have lost 2 of their last 3 games at home in the League, but they have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 4 overall.
My feeling is that this game may follow the FA Cup Semi Final road and be a tight and competitive affair where the teams are separated by very little. One goal may be enough to secure a victory either way and this may be a fixture where there is plenty of intrigue attached, but not a lot of goals.
Liverpool v Southampton Pick: The late evening kick off on Saturday may be Liverpool's last chance to push towards the Champions League places even though they are going to need some help from the teams above them in the final weeks of the 2020/21 season.
At this stage the 7 points to 4th placed Chelsea look too much to overturn, but the West London club and Leicester City both have some difficult fixtures to play and Liverpool have to try and get close to take advantage of any slips.
If Chelsea have failed to win at Manchester City earlier in the day, Liverpool have a big chance to move right in behind them over the next seven days, although this is a squad that have struggled for consistency. Missed opportunities have largely been punished at Anfield and there was more of the same for Liverpool two weeks ago when conceding late into injury time in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
Jurgen Klopp would have been frustrated on the day as Liverpool created enough chances to win two or three Premier League games. A lack of clinical finishing proved costly, but I expect Liverpool to create plenty of opportunities for themselves in this one against a Southampton team who have been struggling defensively.
The style that Southampton use does leave them a little open when playing some of the better teams in the Premier League and Liverpool should be well rested ahead of this fixture. The key will be showing better composure in the final third to secure the three points, but you can't imagine Liverpool being as wasteful in front of goal again as they were in the draw with Newcastle United.
Southampton have the ability to cause some problems of their own and have to be respected. They scored twice in their defeat at Manchester City and will not want to sit back, but instead Southampton will look to challenge what has been a vulnerable Liverpool defence.
The neutrals may enjoy the game, but my feeling is that Liverpool will get the better of a high-scoring game. In recent seasons they found life pretty comfortable when playing Southampton at Anfield and 7 losses in the last 8 away Premier League games for The Saints makes it unlikely that Liverpool will drop more home points this weekend.
Wolves v Brighton Pick: It is a little strange to see Wolves as a home underdog, but they have proven to be a difficult team to trust.
In saying that, you wouldn't be that excited about backing Brighton as an away favourite considering their inconsistencies in front of goal.
Could you really predict goals or a lack of goals with any confidence? Much will depend on the first twenty minutes and whether something can spark this fixture or whether both Wolves and Brighton will largely coast as little is left to motivate them over the remaining four League games.
Two unpredictable teams in an early kick off the night after Canelo vs Billy Joe Saunders? Yeah, I'll not be watching and you can toss a coin as to what the outcome will be.
Aston Villa v Manchester United Pick: The last time Manchester United won a trophy came in the Europa League in 2017 and they have a chance to end what is a relatively long wait for silverware when they compete in the Final of that competition in late May.
For now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to find the best way to balance his starting eleven for three games in five days, although the manager was upset with the Premier League for scheduling fixtures in the way they have.
The first of the three fixtures looks the 'easiest' on paper, but Aston Villa are coming in off an important 1-2 win at Everton and will be looking to take advantage of any fatigue in the visiting ranks. While Aston Villa were preparing, Manchester United were playing in Rome on a Thursday night and they have had to travel back for this fixture on Sunday afternoon.
Even without Jack Grealish, Aston Villa have posed a real attacking threat in their last couple of games and they have the players that can test this Manchester United team. Set pieces will be important and there is some real pace in the Aston Villa final third that will be an issue for Manchester United, although the visitors can create plenty of their own chances.
Manchester United have scored at least two goals in 3 of their last 4 away games in all competitions and the defensive numbers for Aston Villa have regressed. For much of the season Aston Villa were out-performing their underlying numbers on that side of the field, but over the last few weeks they have allowed teams to not only create big chances, but have been conceding plenty of goals.
I expect that to be the difference between the teams on the day with Manchester United more likely to show a clinical edge to their game than Aston Villa.
I would not be surprised if Aston Villa played their part in an entertaining game, but Manchester United should have a bit too much as they earn a narrow win here.
West Ham United v Everton Pick: A point will do nothing for either West Ham United or Everton on Sunday afternoon when they meet at the London Stadium and that should mean we get to see a really good, attacking game of football.
There has been plenty of entertainment on offer in recent West Ham United games as they have posed a huge attacking threat, but defensively there is a vulnerability that has been exploited by teams. More evidence of that was on display on Monday evening in West Ham United's 1-2 win at Burnley and David Moyes is willing to take the risks of putting plenty of attacking players on the field to make sure his team are on the front foot.
The manager won't want to take unnecessary risks, but there is a feeling that West Ham United are better off taking the approach of out-scoring opponents rather than trying to keep the backdoor shut. West Ham United have not only failed to keep a clean sheet in 7 games, but they have conceded at least twice in 5 of those but have still managed to earn plenty of points thanks to the attacking displays they have put together.
Michail Antonio is a big positive for West Ham United and he showed how important he can be for them down the stretch with two goals at Turf Moor.
He will be a key figure here as West Ham United look to take the game to an Everton team that have been much more disciplined away from home than they have been at Goodison Park. In fact, Everton have conceded 12 goals fewer on their travels than they have at home and this is a team that can be very dangerous on their day as shown with 5 wins from their last 7 away Premier League games.
Everton should be able to pose some problems for West Ham United, with or without James Rodriguez, but they have struggled defensively in recent weeks. Michael Keane could be available for selection, but I expect Everton to be tested by the pace and quality West Ham United produce and the feeling is that this could be a pretty entertaining game.
My lean is that West Ham United may nick the points, but it should be an attacking game right until the final whistle with the importance of the game lost on neither manager. Historically it is a fixture between two clubs that can produce fireworks and it would be no surprise if there are at least three goals shared out on Sunday.
Arsenal v West Brom Pick: The aggregate defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League is a devastating blow for Arsenal and the feeling is that Mikel Arteta could pay for the unsuccessful season at the end of the campaign.
He needs a really strong finish to the season to have any hope of being retained as manager, but picking the players up after the poor performance against Villarreal will not be easy.
At least Arsenal have the chance to host this fixture against a team that is effectively relegated, although West Brom have been in good form over the last month. Arsenal have not won any of their last 6 at the Emirates Stadium, and they have been struggling for goals, but The Gunners should be able to create chances against a West Brom team that have put in a big effort over the last month but who have yet to find the defensive consistency that is usually associated with Sam Allardyce.
It is actually up the other end where West Brom have begun to fire and they have been creating a lot of chances since the March international break. They have not always been consistent at converting those, but West Brom have scored 11 goals in their last 5 Premier League games and will certainly feel they can hurt the Arsenal backline.
Much of this fixture will depend on how much motivation the Arsenal players have after being dumped out of the Europa League, but the layers seem to have taken that on board.
You couldn't really back Arsenal with much confidence considering their home form, but West Brom have been inconsistent too and I think the most likely outcome is that we will see goals scored. The Baggies have to attack and Arsenal do have some talent in the final third that will be looking to bounce back after the sub-par efforts against Villarreal.
One concern has to be the lack of goals being scored by Arsenal, but that is where the West Brom defence will help and I feel there will be at least three goals scored in this one.
Fulham v Burnley Pick: This may have been a much bigger Premier League game if Fulham had not earned just a single point from the last 18 available which means they are 9 points from safety and with just 12 points left to play for.
If results go against Fulham this weekend they could be relegated on Monday evening, but avoiding defeat will mean they live to fight another weekend.
However, it does feel like relegation is inevitable now after the poor run since beating Liverpool at Anfield and the big problem for Fulham has been the lack of goals. They might have more joy against this Burnley team, but Fulham have not been short of chances and it has been the lack of a clinical striker that has ultimately seen them return to the Premier League for a sole season.
Scoring goals has not been a major problem for Burnley over the last month, although they will be sweating on the fitness of Chris Wood. The New Zealander has been bang in form and could be the difference maker on the day with Burnley looking like they can create chances against this Fulham team who have to be struggling for confidence.
Burnley have shown they have found a consistent way to create chances and I do think all the pressure is on the hosts. If Fulham begin to chase, Burnley could hurt them on the counter attack and I think they are a surprising underdog in this one.
We might get one final stand from Fulham, but they are hard to trust to win games when they have struggled as much as they have in front of goal. Clean sheets have not been easy to find either and Burnley may just have enough to avoid defeat and virtually secure Premier League Football for another season.
Manchester United v Leicester City Pick:
Southampton v Crystal Palace Pick:
Chelsea v Arsenal Pick:
Aston Villa v Everton Pick:
Manchester United v Liverpool Pick:
MY PICKS: Leicester City - 1.25 Asian Handicap
Tottenham Hotspur - 0.25 Asian Handicap
Crystal Palace 0 Asian Handicap
Manchester City-Chelsea Under 2.5 Goals
Liverpool - 1.5 Asian Handicap
Manchester United & Over 1.5 Goals
West Ham United-Everton Over 2.5 Goals
Arsenal-West Brom Over 2.5 Goals
Burnley + 0.25 Asian Handicap
Fantasy Football GameWeek 35
The final four rounds of the Fantasy Premier League game for the 2020/21 season are now in front of us with the dates and times all confirmed for the remaining fixtures.
The decision to bring in Heung-Min Son and then Captain him turned out to be the right one, although it was Gareth Bale who was the star of the show for Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
As we felt, the Doubles have been confirmed this week and my entire eleven are set to play twice, but it is the decision of the Premier League to force Manchester United to play a Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday schedule which has raised eyebrows for the manager, but also for Fantasy players as we have the extremely rare Triple GameWeek coming up.
However, some enthusiasm has been tempered from the latest Ole Gunnar Solskjaer press conference who has admitted he is not going to be able to do anything but use the entirety of his squad to get the team through what is a remarkably harsh decision from the Premier League to have three games squeezed into a short space of time.
Edinson Cavani may be in form, but he is almost certainly one of the players that will be playing a maximum of two games (I think he could be involved against Aston Villa and Liverpool), while the manager has even suggested Harry Maguire is due a rest at some point.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford may be the players that are most likely to be involved in all three games, but it is hard to predict what will happen.
I was thinking about holding a transfer through this week, but that was before the Triple GameWeek was announced and before the injury to James Rodriguez which looks to rule him out of at least one, and possibly both, game Everton are playing this week.
The problem is that Manchester United have a blank in GW36 and I already have a number of players that won't be playing in the following weekend with Leicester City due to play in the FA Cup Final.
My lean is I will have to negotiate the next two GWs with some hits, but I am looking to see if there is a way to bring in Bruno Fernandes and Captain him for this week as the player most likely to play every game (or minutes in every game).
If it feels too costly, the likelihood is making the simple decision to bring in and Captain Marcus Rashford instead or picking up Paul Pogba and then handing the armband to Mason Greenwood.
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