Angry Manchester United fans STORM onto the pitch at Old Trafford

Angry Manchester United fans STORM onto the pitch at Old Trafford as thousands gather to protest against the hated Glazer owners, after others attempted to block the team bus from leaving the nearby Lowry hotel ahead of Liverpool showdown

Hundreds of Manchester United supporters have stormed the pitch at Old Trafford ahead of their game against Liverpool in protest at the club’s American owners.

It came after many more blockaded the entrance to the Lowry Hotel where the United players and staff are staying.

This afternoon’s match against Liverpool is surely in jeopardy following the invasion. 

Fans shouted ‘we want Glazers out’ and ‘United, United’ as they walked onto the pitch.  

Thousands had assembled at an organised protest outside Old Trafford against the Glazer family and their efforts to sign United up to the European Super League

Hundreds of Manchester United fans have stormed the pitch at Old Trafford in protest at the club’s American owners ahead of Sunday afternoon’s match with Liverpool

These were the extraordinary scenes inside the stadium as protesters breached security to get onto the turf just two hours ahead of the Liverpool game

These were the extraordinary scenes inside the stadium as protesters breached security to get onto the turf just two hours ahead of the Liverpool game

Protesting fans set off smoke flares outside Old Trafford as they make their feelings known

Protesting fans set off smoke flares outside Old Trafford as they make their feelings known 

The Glazer family, United's owners, signed the club up to the European Super League before making a u-turn 48 hours later amid a furious backlash

The Glazer family, United’s owners, signed the club up to the European Super League before making a u-turn 48 hours later amid a furious backlash

Thousands of United fans protested outside and inside Old Trafford against the Glazer regime

Thousands of United fans protested outside and inside Old Trafford against the Glazer regime

Some demanded the installation of Germany's 50+1 ownership model at the protest

Some demanded the installation of Germany’s 50+1 ownership model at the protest

Security personnel battled in vain to keep the protesters outside the stadium

Security personnel battled in vain to keep the protesters outside the stadium 

And a section of the crowd managed to storm the entrances to the stadium, breach security and get onto the pitch.  

The departure of the team bus on the short journey from central Manchester to Old Trafford was delayed as police tried to force back the crowds and restore order. 

Smoke bombs were set off both outside the Lowry and outside Old Trafford in protestors made their feelings known. 

United were one of six Premier League clubs who initially signed up to the doomed project last month. They all withdrew 48 hours later following a furious backlash from the wider football community.

More to follow