Sir Bobby apologises to Glazers for violence

Sir Bobby that said Joel, Avi and Bryan Glazer – who left Old Trafford under police protection on Wednesday night after a violent protest from missile-wielding fans – had called a meeting with him to "alleviate their fears about putting their foot in it" at the club.

He began the meeting by issuing an apology to the three for Wednesday night's violence. During a session in which he evidently did much of the talking, he then explained to them that Old Trafford was "an emotive place – largely because of Munich and what happened there".

Sir Bobby, who tried to placate United fans as he left the ground, said: "I do not worry about the future of Manchester United as much as I did. I went in with a very open mind and I was pleased to hear they won't be making any changes. I tried to mention to them that they could not ignore the fans who are so emotionally involved with the club and who sometimes go a bit too far."

Sir Bobby said the Glazers had been "surprised [but] not upset" by the fans' protest. Though he said the brothers had not made "any particular effort" to prove their positive intent for the club, their 24-hour visit to Manchester has been one of unmistakable contrition. After gathering 550 staff together to reassure them about their future yesterday, the brothers even invited the club secretary Maurice Watkins – removed from the United board by their father last November – to hear what they had to say.

Greater Manchester Police, who kept several dozen officers at Old Trafford yesterday, delivered some thinly veiled criticism of United for failing to inform them of the brothers' intended arrival.

The force, which privately has been concerned about the potential inflammatory effect of the £790m Glazer takeover for weeks, complained of "communication problems" with the club. United said that the brothers would be staying in London and only informed Manchester officers of the Old Trafford visit at 7pm, by which time a baying mob of fans was gathering outside the stadium.

The assistant chief constable, Steve Thomas, defended the actions of his officers who charged the crowd, using dogs and batons. "In our view, this was a violent demonstration that had the potential to become even more violent," he said. "As the vehicles started to move off, that is when the crowd started to attack the vehicles with bricks and bottles." The city's taxpayers will foot the bill for the police operation.

The force will be relieved to know that Sir Bobby does not expect to see much of the Glazers again – though his conviction that they will operate a laissez faire policy carries a caveat that will further worry fans. "Things will stay as they are if we are winning," he said.