Fans wrongly forced to miss special United win

Manchester United have been slammed for wrongly suspending a handful of season ticket holders for over three months.

- BY STEVEN RAILSTON

Luke O'Shaughnessy and John Cunnane have four corporate season tickets and they have been caught in the crossfire of United's investigation into how Rangers fans invaded Old Trafford in January.

United beat Rangers 2-1 in the Europa League and the Scottish club were supported by a sold-out away section, but their fans also acquired tickets in the home section of Old Trafford.

The club said they took the “strictest possible measures to prevent sales to away fans in home areas” and launched an investigation. The findings of that investigation identified just over 1,500 Rangers fans in the home section, and many of those sat near Mr O'Shaughnessy and Mr Cunnane's season tickets.

After the Rangers game, Mr O'Shaughnessy and Mr Cunnane were informed they had been sanctioned and they were not allowed to use their season tickets for the remainder of the season.

Mr O'Shaughnessy attended the match with his family members, including his 12-year-old nephew.

United wrongly identified Mr O'Shaughnessy, whose road surfacing company is based in Heywood, as a Rangers fan because his nephew was spotted on CCTV standing to his feet and taking photos when Rangers scored in the 88th minute.

His nephew does not support Rangers.

Mr O'Shaughnessy was shocked to learn his season tickets had been suspended and appealed.

He also lodged a complaint with the IFO and considered legal action after weeks of frustrating correspondence with the club.

The Guardian has seen the CCTV footage in question and has been privy to the email correspondence between Mr O'Shaughnessy, Mr Cunnane and Manchester United.