A hardcore group of militant Manchester United supporters last night threatened to declare "civil war" on the club after disrupting a reserves match as their latest protest against Malcolm Glazer's proposed takeover.
Forty fans interrupted Louis Saha's comeback match when they invaded the pitch at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground with a huge banner reading "Not for Sale". The reserves fixture between United and Birmingham City was held up for five minutes.
The same group, going by the name of the Manchester Education Committee (MEC), is believed to be responsible for an incident at the home of the United director Maurice Watkins on Monday night, when paint was thrown over his car. Watkins was targeted after selling one million shares to Glazer.
Information has been passed to the Guardian that other directors, notably Nick Humby and Andy Anson, are being seen as legitimate targets. The MEC believes both men are not averse to the idea of Glazer taking control. Likewise the group is also planning operations against Brunswick, Glazer's appointed PR company in London, and the former sports editor of the Sun Paul Ridley, who has been advising the American multi-millionaire about his media relations.
Acts of violence have not been ruled out and United are fully aware that it is not merely the work of a few individuals but a well organised group armed with addresses, contact details and inside information.
In a statement the MEC said last night: "For far too long the wishes of Manchester United fans, and football fans in general, have been ignored as clubs sacrifice everything at the altar of commercialism.
"The Manchester Education Committee would like to stress that in the event of the wishes of Manchester United supporters being ignored in any takeover situation, we intend to initiate a civil war effectively setting the football club - the supporters - against the company. In such a situation it is our intention to render the club ungovernable and actively disrupt all manner of commercial activity associated with Manchester United."
Pointedly it added: "The club's sponsors and commercial partners should note that the Manchester Education Committee will view them as legitimate targets. For now we would like to encourage United fans to carry on with the targeting of Brunswick, which has been ongoing in recent days."
United are taking the threats seriously, knowing the same group was behind the disruption at a race meeting at Hereford in February. Then, the MEC was protesting against the club's majority shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus, who were involved in a legal battle with the manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Another event organised by MEC is scheduled for this weekend in Manchester and the group then intends to switch its attention to Glazer himself.
United, meanwhile, are demanding an explanation from Fifa after an article in an official publication included several very serious claims about their manager. United are furious and are writing to the organisation through the FA claiming that it is "totally inaccurate".
Asked about the article, a Fifa spokesman pointed out a statement in the publication which reads: "Any views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Fifa."
