Wayne Rooney's house besieged by angry Manchester United fans

Wayne Rooney's stand-off with Manchester United took a sinister turn on Thursday night with Cheshire Police called to the 24-year-old’s mansion to clear an angry mob chanting, ‘Join Man City and you die.’

Wayne Rooney's house besieged by angry Manchester United fans
Bad to worse: United fans have turned against Wayne Rooney Credit: Photo: EPA

Rooney, who is understood to be in turmoil over whether to accept a new offer to remain at Old Trafford, sparked fury among Manchester United supporters by claiming that he is ready to leave the club due to the failure of senior figures to prove they match his ambition.

Derogatory banners and chants were directed at Rooney during Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor at Old Trafford, but the animosity reached new depths with a mob of around 30 people being dispersed by police.

The group, which consisted of men wearing balaclavas and Eric Cantona-masks, descended on Rooney’s family home around 8.30pm, when police were called to assist.

Eight officers arrived on the scene to clear the disturbance, which Cheshire police have confirmed cleared peacefully with no arrests made.

The mob, who were labelled as the ‘Men in Black’ on fans’ forums and Twitter last night, carried banners warning Rooney against leaving United for neighbours Manchester City.

Rooney is understood to have been in the house at the time, but the player was not confronted by the group.

The events mirror similar attacks on United chief executive David Gill and England captain Rio Ferdinand, Rooney’s United team-mate, who received a similar ‘visit’ from supporters in 2005 during his lengthy contract dispute with the club.

A United spokesman confirmed last night that they were aware of the incident at Rooney’s house, but security details surrounding the player remain a private matter.