Five stewards charged with the assault of a Manchester United fan at the Old Trafford derby have been axed by the security firm used by the club.
Daily Mail Sport revealed two months ago that the men are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in January, accused of attacking the 49-year-old supporter in the East Stand during a peaceful protest following United’s goalless draw with Manchester City in April 2025.
None of the five stewards are employed by United. They are understood to have been supplied to Controlled Solutions Group, the security company contracted by the club on matchdays, by HR Security and Protection Services.
A spokesperson for CSG told Confidential that the men will not be on duty at Old Trafford again. He said: ‘The five staff that were supplied to CSG by HR Security and Protection Services are no longer allowed to work on any CSG operations.’
The protest was in response to ticket price rises, and there will be more demonstrations when United face City at Old Trafford on Sunday. That’s in response to the club’s controversial clampdown on ticket touts, which has led to United being accused of targeting innocent fans without proper evidence.
It was the subject of debate for more than an hour at the latest fans’ forum at Old Trafford in July, according to the minutes of the meeting which have now been released.
Five men will appear in court in January charged with an assault of a 49-year-old man during a post-match protest after the Manchester derby in April 2025
They reveal that supporters’ representatives ‘highlighted fans’ frustrations, anger and confusion with the communications between club and fans, with particular reference to the first wave of communications which were aggressive in tone, vague and anxiety provoking’.
United were also ‘asked whether the club recognised the growing perception among sections of the fanbase that long-standing season-ticket holders are being pushed out in favour of higher-yield hospitality and premium customers, and requested assurance that the purpose of the investigation was not to reduce the number of season ticket holders or facilitate a shift towards hospitality sales’.
United denied this was the case and chief executive Omar Berrada said: ‘There are no hidden intentions, the club is not trying to make financial gains from this process nor trying to reduce the number of season tickets available.
‘We acknowledge there are learnings to be made from this investigation, and the initial communications should have been better to explain to fans what we are trying to do, and we will improve on this as a club. The relationship with our fans is fundamental and we want to protect them and the club.’
Sabah a hard sell
It may have been more than two years since United played in the Champions League but that has not been enough of a carrot for supporters as tickets for Thursday’s Sabah clash made their way to general sale.
United have thousands of registered members and yet with the game fast approaching, tickets are available as they look to pack out Old Trafford for a match which some supporters feel has the allure of a Europa League or Conference League fixture, against a team who were only founded nine years ago.
What the Sabah game has done is put those who opted into the cup scheme at the start of the season in a bind.
Fans were outraged on Monday night when a social media post went viral of a text message from Manchester United which read: ‘You don’t have a ticket for the Sabah game on Thursday – please do not come to Old Trafford. Tickets are still available to purchase here. If you don’t purchase a ticket, your season ticket will be deactivated for a future Premier League game and it may impact your away eligibility.’
United sources insist this is clearly marked out in the terms and conditions of any season ticket purchase and has long been the protocol for those who opt-in to cup competitions. They say the email was only sent to fans who had opted in but hadn’t paid for their ticket and didn’t respond to several emails – although the wording could have been better, which will be amended in future.
They also expect Old Trafford to be full for the Sabah game. But with the underdogs from Azerbaijan next up and Brighton at home in the Carabao Cup next week, it’s proving a very difficult sell.
Azerbaijani champions Sabah have qualified for the Champions League this season just nine years after being formed
Fosters? Good call
Foster + Partners have officially been appointed as the architects for United’s new £2billion stadium project.
Lord Foster, a close friend of United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been at the forefront of plans to build the Ineos billionaire’s 100,000-seater ‘Wembley of the North’. Sources have confirmed the appointment of Foster + Partners after the club gave an update to the fans’ forum, saying ‘the focus now shifts to the design phase of the new stadium in partnership with Foster + Partners’.
United were asked at a previous forum meeting why an open tender was not held for the rebuild of Old Trafford, in keeping with the club’s fiduciary duty to its shareholders, after the controversial ‘tent’ design was unveiled at Foster + Partners headquarters in March last year.
United replied then that ‘a formal process to appoint a stadium architect is underway and will be made following appropriate due diligence and in line with our governance policies’. That process is now complete and not surprisingly Foster + Partners have emerged as the club’s choice.
Foster + Partners have been named as the architects of United’s new stadium project
The firm released the first illustrations of what the new 100,000-seat ‘Wembley of the North’ could look like
Amad’s waiting game
Amad Diallo has yet to resume training on the grass at Carrington and is not expected to return to action until after the international break – although Confidential understands the United winger has an outside chance of being fit for the trip to Fulham a week on Sunday.
Diallo was injured in training before United’s opening game of the season at Hull City, and did not feature in the last two matches against Ipswich and Everton.
In addition, Marcus Rashford was taken off at Everton as a precaution after he was spotted holding his hamstring, and Michael Carrick revealed that the player ‘was feeling a bit of something’.
Meanwhile, United are being patient with Matthijs de Ligt’s return from back surgery so as not to put any pressure on the Netherlands centre back.
De Ligt is back in training but hasn’t played since the end of November, with United reluctant to put a timeline on his comeback.
Amad Diallo has an outside chance of being fit for the trip to Fulham a week on Sunday
Kids copy Carrick tactics
Under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, the decision was taken that youth teams did not need to play in the same game model as the first team. It meant that players were not as adept at making the step up, either in first-team training sessions or in attempts to break into the senior squad.
But this season the Under 21s have reverted from their standard 4-3-3 into a more recognisable 4-2-3-1 with a false nine up top, rather than a conventional striker.
Where Matheus Cunha has led the line for Carrick’s first team, Under 21s boss Adam Lawrence has leaned on Amir Ibragimov to play a similar role, with rising star JJ Gabriel taking on Bruno Fernandes’ No10 position. Carrick and Steve Holland have continued to attend Under 21s and 18s matches this season.
It raises the question, with Chido Obi out on loan and Louie Bradbury having left permanently for Stoke weeks after signing a pro deal, of whether or not the long-term plan includes an orthodox No9.
Lawrence lands Youth League role
Confidential understands Lawrence is set to take charge of United’s Under 19s on their return to the UEFA Youth League.
He oversaw United’s last Youth League campaign in 2024 and after internal discussions as to whether he or Under 18s boss Darren Fletcher would manage the Under 19s, the job has landed at Lawrence’s door.
Talent isn’t in short supply with Tynan Thompson, Cristian Orozco, Gabriel and Ibragimov all still inside the age limit, which requires players to be born after January 1, 2008.
Bendito Mantato and Godwill Kukonki, mainstays around Under 21s squads, are also available to Lawrence, while it’s worth keeping an eye on Yuel Helafu, Noah Ajayi, Jayden Ngwashi and Jay McEvoy. Both Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick feel like potential wildcards as part of a strong Under 18s side.
United host Sabah at Leigh Sports Village at 2pm on Thursday, six hours before the respective first teams lock horns at Old Trafford.
Adam Lawrence is set to take charge of United’s Under 19s on their return to the UEFA Youth League
Jaume’s a star pupil
Teenage midfielder Jaume Camacho Sidos has shown that he is one of United’s brightest young prospects on and off the pitch.
As well as shining for the club’s Under 18s, the 16-year-old has just passed all nine of his GCSEs with a perfect set of grade nines – equivalent to (if not better than) the old A*. Last year, Camacho Sidos was filmed speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson on camera as part of the club’s Lifeblood documentary series, titled United at Heart.
United’s new scholars achieved a strong set of results, with 75 per cent of all grades between four and nine. The club’s other academic achievements saw 11 second-year scholars complete their sporting excellence professional apprenticeship.
Six of the Under 21s, meanwhile, are studying towards BA (Hons) degrees through the PFA’s football and business management programme.
It underlines United’s commitment to the development of their young players. Academy education manager Ian Smithson said: ‘The results highlight the players’ dedication and commitment to their studies and work both on and off the pitch, but are also testament to the care, attention, and excellent level of support they’ve received from our education staff.’
