:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49596445/GettyImages-531523326.0.jpg)
Manchester United's season-ending encounter with Bournemouth has been abandoned amid reports of a bomb scare at Old Trafford. At the time of writing, no official announcement has been made inside Old Trafford itself, though the news is reportedly being broken outside the ground with the stadium having been evacuated after the discovery of a 'suspect package'.
Update: the abandonment has now been confirmed and stadium evacuated, and United journalist Andy Mitten has suggested a 'controlled explosion' may well be necessary. Rather worrying stuff.
Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the NW Quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned today on police advice. #mufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
Told by reliable sources that bomb squad in attendance at OT. Relates to mobile phone device. Might have to carry out controlled explosion.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) May 15, 2016
United, according to the Daily Mail's Mike Keegan, have upped the security at Old Trafford this season, though speaking on Sky Sports, Graeme Souness seemed to suggest things were even tighter ahead of this game. He said he was patted down before being allowed to enter the stadium, in what is apparently a break with normal procedure.
#mufc have significantly upped security levels at Old Trafford this season.
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) May 15, 2016
It remains to be seen what will happen with the outcome of the match -- it will presumably be played on another date, though United are likely to have nothing to play for with Manchester City currently a goal to the good away at Swansea City. The Blues need to lose that match for United to stand any chance of making the top four.
In the meantime, enjoy this little piece of trivia from Mitten:
Match abandoned at OT due to suspect package found. Last abandoned game at OT was in '04 due to hailstorm before Urawa Red Diamonds friendly
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) May 15, 2016