The UK government's sports minister and the mayor of Greater Manchester have condemned the violence that occurred during Sunday's Manchester United protest that resulted in two police officers being injured, but added that they were sympathetic to fans' frustrations.

The original protest started on Sunday before Manchester United's Premier League match with Liverpool. 

Fans gathered outside the Old Trafford stadium in Greater Manchester before clashing with police as they forced their way into the building and stormed the pitch, resulting in the game being postponed.

Greater Manchester Police said one of the injured officers required hospital treatment after a protester attacked them with a bottle.

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The fans were protesting against the club's American owners, the Glazer family, who have been unpopular since they bought Manchester United in 2005.

Their 790 million pounds ($1.1bn) leveraged takeover landed the club with massive debts. Manchester United was a debt-free organization when it was on the stock market prior to the Glazers buying it and the fans believe the family should have used their own money for the deal.

That debt currently stands at 455.5 million pounds ($631.8m), according to the club's latest accounts, which were released on March 4, 2021. It is estimated by Deloitte that in general finance costs, interest and dividends, the Glazer takeover has cost United in excess of $1.4bn.

And last month, fans' frustrations with the owners were rekindled when the club signaled its intention to take part in the controversial European Super League (ESL) project, which ultimately fell apart.

"Passions are running high in football but there are ways to protest and make your voice heard without hurting or endangering others," Nigel Huddleston, the UK's minister for tourism and sport, said in response to the protest.

"We understand the frustrations, but the violence by a small minority of fans at Old Trafford yesterday was unacceptable."

Other government officials have expressed similar feelings. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, also condemned the violence that took place during the initial protest, but added that he is sympathetic to the protester's frustration:

"I fully understand the long-standing concerns of Manchester United supporters about both the ownership and financing of their club and the wider running of football. 

"It is important to make clear that the majority of supporters made their protest peacefully ... however, there is no excuse for the actions of a minority who injured police officers and endangered the safety of others."

James Cleverly, the UK foreign office minister, told Sky News: "[We] cannot condone the images that we've seen about storming the ground … But we do need to understand the frustrations that fans have not just with Manchester United, but with a number of clubs across the game."

Sunday's protest was not the first time that Manchester United fans have protested against the club's owners. Last month, fans breached the security of Manchester United's training grounds after the club's owners tried to join the ESL.

Ed Woodward, United's executive vice-chairman, announced he plans to step down from his role later this year because of the fallout over the ESL.