2 Fans Reportedly Slept Inside Old Trafford Before Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Two football fans reportedly spent the night undetected inside Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United's clash with Arsenal on Saturday, prompting more questions about security at the stadium. 

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, the duo were part of the official stadium tour on Friday and decided to hide in the toilets in the hope of being inside the venue for the lunchtime showdown with the Gunners; it’s stated in the piece that the duo, believed to be foreign students, did not have tickets for the clash.

“Those who go on tours are searched beforehand with metal detectors, along with their belongings—and United say there was no risk to safety,” added Keegan. “However, the fact that two members of the public could remain undetected in the stadium for so long hours before a sold-out Premier League match may trigger alarm bells.”

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

United offer official tours of the Theatre of Dreams that last around 80 minutes, and it’s noted a count of those involved is taken by tour guides, with Controlled Event Solutions looking after the security at Old Trafford.

Police were reportedly called after the two were discovered on the morning of the match, although neither were arrested for their actions.

A club spokesman quoted by Keegan criticised the pair but played down the significance of the breach: “We realise people will go to any lengths to watch a game at Old Trafford, but these people went too far. The fact that they and their belongings had been searched before entry means we are confident there was no risk to safety.”

United were embarrassed earlier this year when a showdown with Bournemouth in the Premier League was postponed after a what appeared to be an explosive device was located in the toilets; it later transpired the equipment was a dummy and had been left behind after a training exercise.

James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

A source quoted by Keegan stated both episodes are embarrassing for United: “After the Bournemouth fiasco they retrained all the staff and beefed up security and searches but then this happens.”

On the field United dominated the match but were eventually held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Arsenal. Juan Mata opened the scoring for the home side, before Olivier Giroud headed home a last-minute equaliser for the Gunners.