Police point the finger at United

Soccer NewsManchester United were criticised by a senior police officer yesterday for lack of communication which meant police did not know about the anti-Glazer protests until they were under way.

Steve Thomas, assistant chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said there were "communication problems" with the club, saying they had learned of the protest only at 7pm on Wednesday. But he defended the police response - baton charges against mostly peaceful protesters outside Old Trafford.

The crowd, which swelled to 300 people, attempted to make a barricade from traffic cones and metal fencing after the three Glazer brothers, Joel, Bryan and Avi, arrived for their inaugural fact-finding visit following their father's £790 million takeover of the club.

There were two arrests: a 15-year-old boy was cautioned for causing criminal damage to a police vehicle and a 19-year-old was arrested for possession of a CS gas spray and an alleged public order offence. He will appear before Trafford magistrates court today.

Thomas said: "At the moment, while we are investigating the behaviour of officers, I am happy our officers acted properly. In our view, this was a violent demonstration that had the potential to become even more violent. As the vehicles started to move off, that is when the crowd started to attack the vehicles with bricks and bottles." He believed the batons were used "quite lawfully and quite justifiably".

He added United will not be charged for having the demonstration policed as "I can't charge people for being a victim of crime".

The Glazers had spent Wednesday night at the luxurious Mottram Hall Hotel in Cheshire after being advised against staying at a five-star hotel in central Manchester.

Yesterday, undeterred, the Glazers arrived at Old Trafford before 8am. Joel Glazer held a 15-minute meeting with staff. An insider said: "He said it would be business as usual. He said they had no intention of making any major changes. Things will carry on as they are."

Asked how the meeting went, another member of staff grimaced, while his colleague muttered: "As long as they keep paying our wages, we'll be happy."

At lunchtime Bobby Charlton, a club director, United's secretary Maurice Watkins and the former chairman Martin Edwards arrived. Afterwards, Charlton said: "I was impressed. They knew a lot about Manchester United. They were very keen there are no major changes."

Several fans stood outside the main entrance, but the protests of Wednesday night had lost momentum. At 3.20pm, the Glazers left the north stand amid tight security. There were no fans to witness their swift exit.

Mark Longden, of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association, was standing opposite the main entrance. "There is a lot of anger among the fans," he said. "People feel helpless and not respected . . . There will be other organised protests and demonstrations, certainly whenever the Glazers come to Old Trafford."

An interview with Joel Glazer is expected to be broadcast on MUTV today.