Ed’s hot bother with fans
MANCHESTER UNITED chief Ed Woodward knew fans had turned on him as far back as November when a group threatened to douse him with Tabasco sauce.
United’s executive vice-chairman has been left reeling following an attack on his Cheshire home by a group of supporters on Tuesday night.
The mob chanted that he was “going to die” before posting a video on social media of someone hurling a red flare over his gate.
Woodward, who was at the Etihad last night, is set to beef up his personal security, with United reviewing how much protection he might need at matches.
But he became aware of the growing hatred towards him more than two months ago during a Europa League trip to Kazakhstan.
A group of fans spotted him drinking in a bar in Astana and plotted to throw a bottle of hot sauce in his face. He was only made aware of the threat when he returned home.
Woodward, who had no security with him that night, left before it could happen.
But he also had an altercation with a fan who stuck a finger in the 48-year-old’s ear.
He has been reluctant to have security with him but knows his deteriorating relationship with some fans has left him with no choice.
Woodward, who is married with two young children, was not in the house at the time of Tuesday’s attack which is being investigated by Cheshire police.
He has also missed several recent games, when some fans at Old Trafford have chanted about burning him and the owners.
United have promised to ban for life anyone identified as being responsible for the attack on his home. Mob slammed: Pg 7