A MOB of furious Manchester United fans launched a smoke bomb and fireworks at under-fire chief executive Ed Woodward’s house.
Shocking pictures show a gang of around 20 hooded supporters – some of whom are believed to be members of United’s notorious “Men In Black” hooligan firm – targeting the £2million Cheshire mansion.
Manchester United fans shockingly targeted Ed Woodward’s house with flares and fireworks
The gang congregated outside and rang an intercom on large gates at the entrance to the sprawling property on Tuesday night.
Woodward, his wife and kids are not believed to have been home during the incident.
And when no-one answered, they sprayed red paint over it and launched a red smoke bomb into the grounds before aiming a firework at the house in disgusting scenes.
A source told The Sun: “Woodward has been a disaster as chief executive and needs to leave the club.
“Lots of people have said it but he doesn’t seem to listen – perhaps because he’s getting paid £4m-a-year.
“So we decided to pay him a visit to tell him to his face. We didn’t get to speak to him but hopefully he’ll get the message because we’re not going away and we won’t stand around doing nothing while our club is ruined.”
Manchester United said there was “no excuse” for the violence, and vowed to ban the thugs for life from Old Trafford.
A club statement said: “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.”
A source told The Sun that hopefully Woodward ‘gets the message’
Red Devils supporters have long voiced their anger at WoodwardCredit: PA:Press Association
Gary Lineker responded to disturbing footage doing the rounds on on social media, insisting: “If this is genuine then it’s absolutely disgusting. The man has young twins, FFS.”
It is not the first time angry fans have targeted homes.
In October 2010, The Sun told how a gang of 30 fans turned up at Wayne Rooney’s former £4.5m mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire, after he said he wanted to leave Old Trafford.
Fans rang the buzzer and demanded he came out to face them and warned him not to sign for rivals Man City.
Rooney later signed a new improved contract and stayed at the club until 2017 when he left for Everton.
In recent weeks, fans at Old Trafford have been criticised for increasingly vitriolic chants aimed at Woodward, who has been chief exec since 2013.
He has been accused of being more interested in United’s share price and putting profits off the pitch over performances on it.
In November, a United fan walked up to him in a bar and gave him a “wet willy” as he played pool in a bar ahead of United’s Europa League clash against Astana in Kazakhstan.
The video was posted online by a fan called “Gaz”, who wrote: “Ed Woodward playing pool in the bar here, United lad just walked over and gave him a wet willy.”
United fans have let their opinion be known on Woodward this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
In October, former accountant Woodward denied the commercial side of the club had overtaken the importance of the football, describing it as a “myth”.
He spoke out just days before fans chartered a plane over Old Trafford prior to the Liverpool game carrying a banner which read: “Ed still failing – Woodward out!”
In a recent interview with fanzine United We Stand, Woodward revealed he goes to “90-95 per cent” of all games, adding: “I’m gutted when we lose a game, I don’t sleep.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
