Man United fans throw flares at home of transfers chief Ed Woodward
Written by News on 29/01/2020
Manchester United have condemned an “unwarranted attack” on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, after fans were filmed throwing flares at his home.
Some of the Old Trafford faithful have been disappointed by the club’s performance in the Premier League this season, with some directing their ire towards Mr Woodward over his dealings in the transfer market.
The anger of one mob boiled over on Tuesday evening, when a group of hooded figures were seen in social media footage chucking red flares over the gate of his home in Cheshire.
United said in a statement: “Manchester United Football Club have tonight been made aware of the incident outside the home of one of our employees.
“We know that the football world will unite behind us as we work with Greater Manchester Police to identify the perpetrators of this unwarranted attack.
“Anybody found guilty of a criminal offence, or found to be trespassing on this property, will be banned for life by the club and may face prosecution.
“Fans expressing opinion is one thing, criminal damage and intent to endanger life is another.
“There is simply no excuse for this.”
Neither Woodward, his wife or their two young children were present at the property during the time of the attack.
Mr Woodward and United’s American owners, the Glazer family, have been the subject of increasingly hostile fan protests throughout the season.
During United’s 6-0 FA Cup win over Tranmere at the weekend, some supporters were heard chanting about killing the executive vice-chairman, who earlier on Tuesday appeared to have moved a step closer to securing a £68m deal to sign the Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.
Mr Woodward will hope the arrival of Fernandes will help arrest a slump in form that has seen United lose back-to-back league matches to fall off the pace in the race for a top four finish.
The incident at his home came ahead of the second leg of United’s League Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side lost 3-1 to the holders at Old Trafford earlier this month and will have to produce an unlikely comeback at the Etihad on Wednesday night if they are to book a place in the final.
The winners will face Aston Villa at Wembley on 1 March after they knocked out Leicester City on Tuesday.
(c) Sky News 2020: Man United fans throw flares at home of transfers chief Ed Woodward
