Cheshire’s home of Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been attacked by a mob. The angered group chanted he was “going to die.”
Video posted on social media showed an individual throwing a red flare over a large gate while others sang songs aimed at Woodward.
The 48-year-old who is married with two young children was not present at the time of the incident.
Manchester United said anyone committing a criminal offense or trespassing will be banned for life.
A club statement added, “Fans expressing an opinion is one thing, criminal damage and intent to endanger life is another. There is simply no excuse for this.”
“We know that the football world will unite behind us as we work with police to identify the perpetrators of this unwarranted attack.”
Cheshire police confirmed they received a call about “an incident of criminal damage” on Tuesday evening involving a “large group.”
A statement continued, “Thankfully no one was harmed. Officers will liaise with security officials over the coming days. We will establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.”
Woodward has been the subject of growing supporter discontent at United in recent weeks.
Manchester United sit fifth in the Premier League with 33 points behind Liverpool. Woodward has been the target of this blame by many fans.
At the recent home game against Burnley and Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Tranmere, supporters sang the same song about Woodward. Thereafter, they made repeated calls for the club’s owners-the Glazer family to leave the club.
The incident is reminiscent of another attack. In 2004, the car belonging to the then club director Maurice Watkins whose shares ended up being bought by Malcolm Glazer as he hid for the club gathered pace.
Woodward advised Malcolm Glazer and the Glazer family during its successful takeover of the club in 2005 before being recruited as a senior member of staff.