Training Device Caused Man Utd Bomb Scare – Police

The suspect package which led to Manchester United’s Premier League game against Bournemouth being abandoned was a dummy device left over from a training exercise.

Greater Manchester Police made the extraordinary announcement after a controlled explosion was carried out on the item at Old Trafford.

Police and security staff were forced to evacuate the stadium shortly before the scheduled 3 p.m. kick off on Sunday and the game was called off soon afterwards.

GMP said in a statement: “Following today’s controlled explosion, we have since found out that the item was a training device which had accidentally been left by a private company following a training exercise involving explosive search dogs.

“Whilst this item did not turn out to be a viable explosive, on appearance this device was as real as could be, and the decision to evacuate the stadium was the right thing to do, until we could be sure that people were not at risk.”

Of the revelation, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the club will “investigate the incident to inform future actions and decisions” after the controlled explosion at the stadium.

The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 17 at 8 p.m.

“We would like to thank Manchester United’s staff, the police and other emergency services for all their efforts today as well as rearranging the match for this coming Tuesday,” the statement read.

“Both Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth’s management has been extremely helpful.”

United need a point to secure a direct place in next season’s Europa League group stage, though they could also earn that with a victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

If United lose at home to Bournemouth, and in the FA Cup final, they would enter the Europa League in the third qualifying round at the end of July.

Any hopes of sneaking into the Champions League are purely mathematical, as United would need to beat Bournemouth by 19 goals to overtake Man City in fourth.