HISTORY THE BOYS
United ‘gun’ man had no ticket
The pitch invader who smuggled toy guns into Old Trafford, triggering a major security scare, did not even have a ticket and strolled into the ground through an open gate.
Police investigated after a supporter raced on to the field early in Manchester United’s Champions League loss to Juventus last month.
The man was apprehended by stewards and a subsequent search of his seat uncovered a rucksack containing two toy weapons.
With United back in home european action tonight — against Young Boys — for the first time since the incident, questions have been asked about how the man, who was arrested and detained under the Mental health Act, managed to smuggle a
bag inside a stadium which is meant to have robust security and a stringent policy covering which items are permitted. However, it can be revealed that the intruder did not have a match ticket and did not go to a turnstile. Instead, he managed to walk through an open gate into the ground unchallenged ahead of kick-off. It is thought he made his way inside with other staff and was not asked for identification. Club officials ordered an extensive review into what they believe was an isolated failure. Meanwhile, United and police are confident there will be no issues in arriving at the stadium on time after the team bus was stuck in traffic before games against Valencia and Juventus. Chief Superintendent Graeme Openshaw, silver commander of the operation around the game, said: ‘We have a different plan from the Juventus game and hopefully it will be a different outcome.’