Manchester United 'didn't need to evacuate the stadium' - security chief

Manchester United's Old Trafford did not need to be evacuated on Sunday, according to the director of a security company who left a fake bomb in the stadium.

The dummy device was used as part of a training exercise, carried out by Security Search Management and Solutions Ltd, and was left in a stadium toilet in error

When the "incredibly lifelike" device was discovered before United's scheduled home game against Bournemouth on Sunday, the match was abandoned.

But Christopher Reid, director of the security company, told The Daily Telegraph: "Look, I'll be honest, they didn't need to evacuate the stadium. It was an inanimate device.

"In the security world, there is a lot of ticking boxes, just making sure that they have the numbers."

Reid founded the company in 2011 having spent 32 years at the Metropolitan Police and admitted that he had been to blame after installing the device during a canine training exercise.

Chris Reid holds up a replica bomb similar to the one that caused the full scale evacuation of #OldTrafford ytdy. pic.twitter.com/G3BCVzP2g6

- Jim Old (@SkyFixerJim) May 16, 2016

"Ultimately, I am responsible, I went up to Manchester to conduct the training at the club," he said. "We have a team of five, but this week I went up and did it myself.

"I feel bad for the fans; for all the disruption caused. These things happen, it was human error. But I pride myself on my expertise."

Speaking on Sky News later in the day, Reid said he was "absolutely devastated" by the error.

"This mistake is entirely mine," he said. "I have to take full responsibility for leaving a training item behind on Wednesday."

The abandonment of Sunday's game, and rearrangement for Tuesday, caused inconvenience for fans.

Bournemouth, however, have offered free coach travel for supporters for Tuesday's match. A club statement confirmed: "Supporters with a valid match ticket will be eligible for free travel."

Arindam is ESPN FC's Manchester United correspondent. Follow him @ARejSport