FLASH MOBBING

Last updated : 25 October 2004 By editor

From Press Association:

Irate Manchester United fans took their battle with prospective Red Devils owner Malcolm Glazer to the heart of Old Trafford today. Supporters flooded into the club's Megastore prior to this afternoon's crucial Premiership clash with Arsenal and refused to leave, blocking aisles and check-outs, a move they hoped would have a severe effect on United's turnover.

The scene turned ugly as the protest broke up, with some supporters hurling beer cans at the front of the store. At the same time, around 3000 fans embarked on a peaceful but noisy `Not For Sale' banner protest down Sir Matt Busby Way, the road adjoining the ground named after the club's first illustrious Scottish manager.

Then, as the teams re-emerged after the interval, an effigy of Glazer was dangled from the second tier of the Stretford End, with a banner warning him messing with United could 'seriously damage his health'.

In a prescient pre-match announcement chairman Shareholders United Nick Towle.

'Within a month, we believe Glazer will have to inform the board what his plans are. We will carry on the fight until this man gets the message he is not wanted and then we will continue until we can be certain the club we love will never be in this situation again. The amounts we believe he has to borrow to complete the deal are frightening. Why should Manchester United, as a debt free club, put itself into that position.'