The home of Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was attacked by a group of fans on Tuesday night.
In a sinister escalation of the unrest witnessed in the stands at United games recently, supporters angry at Woodward’s directorship targeted his family residence in Cheshire.
Neither Woodward, his wife or his young daughters are understood to have been at home at the time of the incident. Greater Manchester Police are investigating.
United released a strongly-worded statement condemning those involved and promised to hand out life bans to anyone found guilty of a criminal offence.
“Manchester United Football Club have tonight been made aware of the incident outside the home of one of our employees,” the statement read.
1/21 Ranking Solskjaer’s most likely replacement at United
AFP via Getty Images
2/21 20. Marco Rose
A bright coach translating the outstanding work at Salzburg to the German Bundesliga with Gladbach, who are in an unexpected title race.
AP
3/21 19. Brendan Rodgers
His stock has not been this high perhaps ever in his career. Inspiring Leicester to a third-placed finish could stand up with anything he’s done as a manager. But a new contract until 2025 appears to have made it tricky for any club to prize him away from the King Power
AFP via Getty Images
4/21 18. Diego Simeone
Seemingly at the end, or rather the beginning of a chapter at Atletico, who have lavishly spent to reinvigorate a once faded squad. Quite whether Simeone would be tempted by another challenge remains to be seen. The Spaniards’ pursuit of Edinson Cavani and others may prove pivotal in persuading Simeone he can work wonders once again here.
EPA
5/21 17. Antonio Conte
An ideal candidate should Ed Woodward not concur with many that the problems are beyond the manager alone. Conte can inspire more from less, as proven at Chelsea and now with Inter. A premature exit seems almost impossible though, given Inter are rather recklessly meeting his every request
REUTERS
6/21 16. Zinedine Zidane
Not quite the miracle worker his first stint in charge of the Bernabeu suggested, as Real shuffle the pack, but like his current employers, United would surely be able to hand him whatever he wanted to stamp his authority on a team needing a new identity
AFP via Getty Images
7/21 15. Joachim Low
Another stalwart of the international game, who has built a culture and structure that United desperately crave. But given his tenure with Die Mannschaft now extends to 14 years, his motivation to return to the club game is in question
PA
8/21 14. Luis Enrique
Back in charge of Spain and ready to reinvigorate a nation still in transition. Enrique’s time with Barcelona remains underrated and is valued even higher since the frustrating spell of Ernesto Valverde. Could jump at the chance to take over a big club after the Euros.
Getty Images
9/21 13. Thomas Tuchel
Constantly under pressure at PSG with the high stakes game they play in the Champions League ever season. Failure to move beyond the last 16 would surely see the end for him, but judging him purely in isolation could be daft, especially given the outstanding work he did at Dortmund when afforded a wider judgement. Another candidate like Allegri who offers immediate hope without ripping it down and completely starting over
AFP via Getty Images
10/21 12. Erik ten Hag
Oversaw the incredible Ajax run to the Champions League semi-final, playing a superb brand of football. With United possessing an exciting generation of young players, it could be a smart appointment to hire somebody capable of translating talent to proven class on the big stage
REUTERS
11/21 11. Gareth Southgate
His stock has come down somewhat since the World Cup, but Southgate has proven he is a capable tactician as well as a motivator. A matter of time before he dips back into the club game
AFP via Getty Images
12/21 10. Julian Nagelsmann
One of the game’s brightest young coaches now sprinkling his magic at Leipzig. Would take an enormous offer to convince both him and his club to part company
AFP via Getty Images
13/21 9. Phil Neville
Former United player who has built himself a decent reputation with his work with England. After experience with his brother Gary at Valencia as a No 2, Neville may be tempted to return to Old Trafford, even if just in the short term
Getty Images
14/21 8. Nuno Espirito Santo
Overseeing an excellent job at Wolves, tactically sound and his connection with super agent Jorge Mendes could benefit United greatly given the frosty relationship with one of the game’s other influential figures Mino Raiola
AFP via Getty Images
15/21 7. Ralf Rangnick
Capable of transforming the structure at United after his time with Leipzig. Is thought to be especially keen on the United job
AFP via Getty Images
16/21 6. Laurent Blanc
Out of work since 2016, but with connections from his playing days to Old Trafford. An experienced coach who could command respect and may accept the job on a short-term basis
Bongarts/Getty Images
17/21 5. Mike Phelan
Experienced club man currently at Solskjaer’s side, could feasibly step in as a caretaker until the end of the season
REUTERS
18/21 4. Nicky Butt
Working with United’s academy and helping build a conveyor belt to the first team, which is the one silver lining to this season. If Solskjaer goes, Butt could at least help the next man by providing further options for next season with more youngsters handed experience
Manchester United via Getty Imag
19/21 3. Michael Carrick
In the current set-up with the most upside to develop into a manager. A great playing career and the sort of player whose imagination might translate well to coaching and seeing the game differently. A short-term option until the summer.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
20/21 2. Massimiliano Allegri
Refreshed after leaving Juventus. A tried and tested option with great experience and proven to work in a structure preventing him from complete control over transfers. Would be expensive but could instantly command the respect of the squad
REUTERS
21/21 1. Mauricio Pochettino
The ideal option, free and available, with the highest upside of any candidate who could realistically join. Pochettino would surely find the job appealing and could replicate his success with young players as United’s academy begins to contribute world class talent to the first team once again
Action Images via Reuters
1/21 Ranking Solskjaer’s most likely replacement at United
AFP via Getty Images
2/21 20. Marco Rose
A bright coach translating the outstanding work at Salzburg to the German Bundesliga with Gladbach, who are in an unexpected title race.
AP
3/21 19. Brendan Rodgers
His stock has not been this high perhaps ever in his career. Inspiring Leicester to a third-placed finish could stand up with anything he’s done as a manager. But a new contract until 2025 appears to have made it tricky for any club to prize him away from the King Power
AFP via Getty Images
4/21 18. Diego Simeone
Seemingly at the end, or rather the beginning of a chapter at Atletico, who have lavishly spent to reinvigorate a once faded squad. Quite whether Simeone would be tempted by another challenge remains to be seen. The Spaniards’ pursuit of Edinson Cavani and others may prove pivotal in persuading Simeone he can work wonders once again here.
EPA
5/21 17. Antonio Conte
An ideal candidate should Ed Woodward not concur with many that the problems are beyond the manager alone. Conte can inspire more from less, as proven at Chelsea and now with Inter. A premature exit seems almost impossible though, given Inter are rather recklessly meeting his every request
REUTERS
6/21 16. Zinedine Zidane
Not quite the miracle worker his first stint in charge of the Bernabeu suggested, as Real shuffle the pack, but like his current employers, United would surely be able to hand him whatever he wanted to stamp his authority on a team needing a new identity
AFP via Getty Images
7/21 15. Joachim Low
Another stalwart of the international game, who has built a culture and structure that United desperately crave. But given his tenure with Die Mannschaft now extends to 14 years, his motivation to return to the club game is in question
PA
8/21 14. Luis Enrique
Back in charge of Spain and ready to reinvigorate a nation still in transition. Enrique’s time with Barcelona remains underrated and is valued even higher since the frustrating spell of Ernesto Valverde. Could jump at the chance to take over a big club after the Euros.
Getty Images
9/21 13. Thomas Tuchel
Constantly under pressure at PSG with the high stakes game they play in the Champions League ever season. Failure to move beyond the last 16 would surely see the end for him, but judging him purely in isolation could be daft, especially given the outstanding work he did at Dortmund when afforded a wider judgement. Another candidate like Allegri who offers immediate hope without ripping it down and completely starting over
AFP via Getty Images
10/21 12. Erik ten Hag
Oversaw the incredible Ajax run to the Champions League semi-final, playing a superb brand of football. With United possessing an exciting generation of young players, it could be a smart appointment to hire somebody capable of translating talent to proven class on the big stage
REUTERS
11/21 11. Gareth Southgate
His stock has come down somewhat since the World Cup, but Southgate has proven he is a capable tactician as well as a motivator. A matter of time before he dips back into the club game
AFP via Getty Images
12/21 10. Julian Nagelsmann
One of the game’s brightest young coaches now sprinkling his magic at Leipzig. Would take an enormous offer to convince both him and his club to part company
AFP via Getty Images
13/21 9. Phil Neville
Former United player who has built himself a decent reputation with his work with England. After experience with his brother Gary at Valencia as a No 2, Neville may be tempted to return to Old Trafford, even if just in the short term
Getty Images
14/21 8. Nuno Espirito Santo
Overseeing an excellent job at Wolves, tactically sound and his connection with super agent Jorge Mendes could benefit United greatly given the frosty relationship with one of the game’s other influential figures Mino Raiola
AFP via Getty Images
15/21 7. Ralf Rangnick
Capable of transforming the structure at United after his time with Leipzig. Is thought to be especially keen on the United job
AFP via Getty Images
16/21 6. Laurent Blanc
Out of work since 2016, but with connections from his playing days to Old Trafford. An experienced coach who could command respect and may accept the job on a short-term basis
Bongarts/Getty Images
17/21 5. Mike Phelan
Experienced club man currently at Solskjaer’s side, could feasibly step in as a caretaker until the end of the season
REUTERS
18/21 4. Nicky Butt
Working with United’s academy and helping build a conveyor belt to the first team, which is the one silver lining to this season. If Solskjaer goes, Butt could at least help the next man by providing further options for next season with more youngsters handed experience
Manchester United via Getty Imag
19/21 3. Michael Carrick
In the current set-up with the most upside to develop into a manager. A great playing career and the sort of player whose imagination might translate well to coaching and seeing the game differently. A short-term option until the summer.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
20/21 2. Massimiliano Allegri
Refreshed after leaving Juventus. A tried and tested option with great experience and proven to work in a structure preventing him from complete control over transfers. Would be expensive but could instantly command the respect of the squad
REUTERS
21/21 1. Mauricio Pochettino
The ideal option, free and available, with the highest upside of any candidate who could realistically join. Pochettino would surely find the job appealing and could replicate his success with young players as United’s academy begins to contribute world class talent to the first team once again
Action Images via Reuters
“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.”
Images of the incident first emerged on social media on Tuesday night showing flares being fired into Woodward’s gated property.
The posts were captioned with references to anti-Woodward chants that have recently been heard at United games.
Those involved in the incident are also understood to have daubed graffiti on the front of the property.
It is not the first example of United fans targeting the homes of those associated with the club.
Wayne Rooney was confronted outside his Cheshire residence in 2010 while engaged in a contract stand-off with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rio Ferdinand had faced similar treatment five years earlier while negotiating new terms at Old Trafford, admitting in his autobiography that he feared for his safety.
