What a complete farce.
It cost many people a great deal of money, time, stress and worry. Everyone thought that one of the country’s biggest sporting stadia was the subject of a terrorist attack. In the end, it was the result of a monumental blunder.
The ‘suspicious package’ turned out to be a fake prop-bomb that had been left behind by a private company carrying out a security training exercise earlier in the previous week. This fact was confirmed in very diplomatic terms by Greater Manchester Police.
Suspicious item found at Old Trafford today, which required controlled explosion, was a training device https://t.co/55n06zNwU3
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
Latest statement from @gmpolice. Incident at Old Trafford was due to a "training device." pic.twitter.com/owzzCrfUpu
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 15, 2016
Despite the serious aspects of the situation, no one could quite believe the sheer f**kwittery of what had happened. There was a combination of bafflement, dismay and hilarity at the mother of all f**kups at the Theatre of LOLS.
Here are just a few of the responses to a ridiculous situation that would be more suited to Brass Eye than breaking news…
That device in the United toilet was knocking about for four days…
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) May 15, 2016
WOW: The 'bomb' found at Old Trafford was accidentally left behind after a security training exercise last week. pic.twitter.com/EOx2HIXRDM
— Footy365 (@Footyy365) May 15, 2016
The security men to blame for this cock-up? Ed Woodward head hunted them! pic.twitter.com/xei4DrCUWg
— Barney @Red News (@barneyrednews) May 15, 2016
Too much for me this. I need a lie down. Buzzing if it looked like an actual bomb that Wile E. Coyote used to try and kill Roadrunner with.
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) May 15, 2016
Incompetence. Following United around since 2013.
— Tatiana MUFC (@TatianaMUFC) May 15, 2016
"Got everything?"
"Yep"
"You've cleared up after the training exercise?"
"Yep"
"Because if you've lef"
"Look, shut up & let's go to the pub"— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) May 15, 2016
Mike: "Steve, you picked it up, yeah?"
Steve: "No, mate, Jeff did"
Jeff: "No I didn't. John got it"
John: Oh fuck.https://t.co/nt6bOZCBkD— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) May 15, 2016
Manchester United have literally turned into Mr Bean.
— United Religion (@Unitedology) May 15, 2016
Our saviours at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/PjnDVi3NGI
— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) May 15, 2016
Surely the whole point of a training exercise is to find the fake fucking bomb? Was it like a game of hide and seek and they just gave up?
— Oli (@Oli_Row) May 15, 2016
This season has dragged Man Utd's reputation through the mud. Mistake after mistake. The club's in disarray and it stems up to the top.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) May 15, 2016
The 'bomb' at Old Trafford was accidentally left behind after security training exercise last week. What a mess! pic.twitter.com/frPbgxclAS
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) May 15, 2016
Object found at Old Trafford was initially thought to pose a threat but turned out to be harmless pic.twitter.com/jTAJs3QMKm
— Mind the Gap (@gunnerpunner) May 15, 2016
EXCLUSIVE: Footage of the 'suspect package' being removed from Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/UHKF4WTiBs
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) May 15, 2016
I can imagine this is what the original training drill looked like. pic.twitter.com/cjRcq3mfK1
— Sid (@sidneymufc) May 15, 2016
tfw you realize you left the fake bomb at the bomb training exercise pic.twitter.com/mTcvp9GFFq
— Aaron W. Gordon (@A_W_Gordon) May 15, 2016
When you've suddenly remembered you've forgotten about that fake bomb.#OldTrafford pic.twitter.com/j17WJSZVcy
— Ali Clarke (@ALICECLARKE2) May 15, 2016
"@AP: Police say fake bomb at Old Trafford had been left in soccer stadium following earlier security exercise." pic.twitter.com/Cx5P2cdpYh
— Michael Parthum (@MichaelParthum) May 15, 2016
You can just picture the scene. pic.twitter.com/yc37LvQuH3
— Ste A. (@sarm0161) May 15, 2016
There’s only one man that can make sure Old Trafford safety is up to scratch. pic.twitter.com/tyvKvTYCCr
— Kristan Heneage (@KHeneage) May 15, 2016
Woodward will be on the phone tomorrow looking for a 'bomb disposal sponsor'.
— Pilib de Brún (@Malachians) May 15, 2016
The device left behind following a Man Utd training exercise has now been named as Eric Djemba-Djemba who famously bombed in the PL in 2003.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 15, 2016
Knowing United, they'll probably give the incompetent security firm another year because they dont want to be seen as a sacking club.
— the MUFC bible (@theMUFCbible) May 15, 2016