Soccer

United fan dials 999 and demands to speak to Sir Alex

Police release details of call following club’s Cup defeat to Sunderland on penalties

Alex Ferguson looks on from the stands during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Alex Ferguson looks on from the stands during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Thu Jan 23 2014 - 12:10

A distressed Manchester United supporter dialled 999 and demanded to speak to Alex Ferguson moments after his team's shock defeat in the league cup.

Greater Manchester Police received the emergency call at 10.30pm last night just after the final whistle, when United were knocked out of the Capital One Cup in dramatic fashion by Sunderland, who won 2-1 on penalties after extra time.

The supporter, who was said to be “in a drunken state”, demanded to speak to the Red Devils’ former boss to discuss the result, a police spokesman confirmed.

Ferguson managed Manchester United from 1986 until he retired in May last year, and was succeeded by David Moyes. During his 26 years at the club, he won 38 trophies, including the European Cup, 13 Premier Leagues and two Uefa Champions League titles.

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Greater Manchester Police released a statement this morning on their GMP Manchester North Facebook page, which has so far generated more more than 750 “likes”.

It read: "Last night, at approximately 10.30pm a man from the Crumpsall area of north Manchester rang 999 in a drunken state demanding to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson about last night's result.

“Obviously, it can be a sad and depressing moment when your football team loses a game, however can we all please remember that 999 is to be used for emergencies only.

“For any other police related enquiries that are not an emergency, you can ring 101.

“If you would like to speak to Sir Alex about recent football results we here at GMP Manchester North can only suggest you try ringing Manchester United FC directly as you will probably (not definitely) have a much better chance of getting through to him there rather than ringing the police.”