THIS is the moment Manchester United’s first match of the season descended into chaos when a fan stormed the pitch.
The bizarre scenes came after protestors slammed Mason Greenwood’s rumoured return during tonight’s Prem opener against Wolves.
SkySportsA fan stormed the Old Trafford pitch[/caption]
SkySportsHe tried to tackle a Wolves player[/caption]
Protesters slammed Mason Greenwood’s rumoured return
Raphael Varane headed United to victory with the game’s only goal
The man ran onto the pitch during the 93rd minute of the game, interrupting a tense Wolves build-up which could have led to an equaliser.
He tried to take the ball off a Wolves player before he was chased by stewards.
The pitch invader was jeered by the stands – but the exhausted players on the field barely reacted before play resumed.
It is currently unknown what led the man to storm the Old Trafford pitch.
A disjointed Red Devils side snatched three points from Wolves in front of a restless home crowd.
Wolves had a late call for a penalty turned down by VAR after Andre Onana clattered through two Wolves players.
Gary O’Neil was booked for his protestations and Wolves will wonder how they left Old Trafford empty-handed.
The run-up to United’s curtain-raiser was dominated by protests against the club’s refusal to rule out a return for Mason Greenwood.
One female fan held an expletive-laden poster blasting the club’s refusal to rule out Greenwood’s return.
It read: “Don’t leave the decision up to the women’s team, you spineless, motherless f***s.”
Others sang protest chants outside Old Trafford in the run-up to the start of United’s season.
The 21-year-old striker could return to the team after charges against him of assault, attempted rape and coercive behaviour were dropped earlier this year.
Greenwood has not played for United since he was arrested in January last year.
‘SPINELESS’
Before the game against Wolves, a group called Female Fans Against Mason Greenwood’s Return called on United to never let him play again.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against Greenwood in February after “key witnesses” pulled out.
But the player is still suspended while United investigates the allegations itself.
Last week, Greenwood was snapped training in a park as his dad Andrew watched on, holding the footballer’s newborn baby girl in his arms.
The Sun exclusively revealed that top-level discussions about a possible return to Old Trafford are nearly concluded, while Greenwood has the backing of his teammates and manager Erik ten Hag.
However, he suffered a major blow to his hopes as he was excluded from the team’s provisional squad list.