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Original poster

Should I complain - Man United

78 replies

NotaFan21 · 04/08/2021 09:51

NC for this as very outing.

So, I was out for a run yesterday morn on one of my usual routes which includes a lap of the perimeter of the town and University playing fields where we live. They're freely open for the public to access.

I noticed there were lots of cars and banners, some saying 'Summer Edu Parking', and families with young kids milling around assumed it was some sort of summer school/camp, it wasn't closed off so continued on my way.

I was head down running when this arm was flung across my path oht of nowhere, I manged to stop but nearly smashed into it, looked up to see what can only be described as a 'men in black' type character blocking my way, who then bore down on me and shouted in my face and demanded 'where do you think you're going' I've never been so taken aback, I just laughed and said well I'm clearly running aren't I and my final destination is home, he then demanded (shouting again) 'well where's home, where do you live' again I was aghast I'm a middle aged woman just clearly out doing some exercise. And I have some stranger shouting at me demanding to know where I live 'I said I'm really sorry I run this route several times a week, this is my home what's the problem?' He then said this area is out of bounds as Dundee United are training here this week and we can't be having them exposed to COVID. It was then I noticed there was event type hording with plastic sheeting covering it so you couldn't actually see into the pitches

I said 'I can assure you I'm not interested in going anywhere near Dundee United I just want to run out of the gate at the bottom there and then home' he then said 'well where's home' WTAF. A Uni janitor type person then appeared who'd clearly heard all this smirking and laughing, telling me you have to go back the way you came. I actually felt very intimidated. Weirdly there again a few families and older teens hanging around in this bit - I was confused as none of them were being balled at or told to go back the way they'd come.

I also could quite easily have crashed into his arm, I was going at a real lick so would have really hurt myself if I hadn't managed to stop.

I had one last try at saying 'look I just want out the gate at the bottom' but they told me it was locked any way - it flaming wasn't as I ran back up thr other side and checked on my way back.

I felt really uneasy about it all day, I was just a woman on my own out for a run and felt like I'd been treated like a criminal and needlessly intimidated, when people who were clearly there to see them and might have bothered them weren't.

Anyway I've since found out it's not Dundee United - I was very surprised they would be so pathetically precious, my DH was actually laughing and saying haven't they all had COVID. It turns out it's actually Man U training there this week!

Am I being unreasonable to think they can F Off and that they need to climb down out of their own backsides and have a bit more respect for the people who actually live in the neighbourhoods where they're training - I could give no more fks about Man U than the moth that's currently buzzing round this room. It was totally disproportionate and unprofessional behaviour and very odd to have signalled me out.

I want to complain but I don't even know who to!

OP posts:
Orf1abc · 04/08/2021 11:25

The people hanging around are likely to be fans. They won't have any direct contact with the players. There are always fans outside Premiership training facilities, even more so when it's not their usual location.

gardeninggirl68 · 04/08/2021 11:26

This is one thread I hope the daily Mail get hold of!!!

I realise it's not likely before anyone pounces!

Utter jobsworth, made him feel important for a few minutes though

gardeninggirl68 · 04/08/2021 11:27

Was this covid concerned individual wearing a mask and keeping his distance? No?

Then they aren't bothered about covid AT ALL

Brefugee · 04/08/2021 11:27

Social media. Big and bold. Fuckers.

gardeninggirl68 · 04/08/2021 11:27

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

Milling around doesn't sound very distanced to me.

They may be in a social bubble together. They aren't going to needlessly risk any players getting covid, they would lose a fuckload of money if they did.

Bubbles no longer exist
Handsoffstrikesagain · 04/08/2021 11:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Handsoffstrikesagain · 04/08/2021 11:29

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

gardeninggirl68 · 04/08/2021 11:29

Wonder what he would have done if you had tried to proceed

Or gone the other way up through the gate in your run back? I would have.... run back up the other way, say 'hi' all jazz hands, stick my tongue out and turned round and gone the way back I had originally planned!!

But I'm a childish arse!

CHISistoast · 04/08/2021 11:34

I'm guessing you're not in Manchester so it might be worth phoning their numbers but I bet you'd get fobbed off. Im only assuming as they train in Carrington. But I think it's worth contacting the actual venue yes, he sounds way OTT!!

Handsoffstrikesagain · 04/08/2021 11:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

IncludeWomenInThePrequel · 04/08/2021 11:37

@Intherightplace

I'd be inclined to tell Dundee they're being blamed for the inconvenience and intimidation of locals too.

However, when did an Man U start training in public parks? There's something that doesn't quite ring true.

It's St Andrew's uni grounds.
Zilla1 · 04/08/2021 11:52

At first glance, legally, it might be the following unless this was in Scotland and Scotland have different legalities to England, for example around Right to Roam. If it was in a Universities' private grounds and they have agreed with the football team's understandable temporary security requirements then you probably have no redress, unacceptable or rude though it was given you have been using private land with the permission of a private institution that could change from time to time. If a council-owned facility then it might be different.

sammylady37 · 04/08/2021 12:00

@HarebrightCedarmoon

Yes definitely complain. His attitude is rubbish and he should have been apologetic. Also they are so very unlikely to get Covid from someone running past.

Tweet Marcus Rashford, he will sort it. He's injured just now.

You’re not actually seriously suggesting she tweet Marcus Rashford about this, which is a mountain made out of a molehill with a lot of highly dramatic and emotive language thrown in?
JacquelineCarlyle · 04/08/2021 12:00

I'd complain purely for the fact that were you a big burly bloke, they'd probably have acted in a much more respectful manner. Very easy to intimidate a lone female runner

ApolloandDaphne · 04/08/2021 12:01

He might have been a right nob head to you but if the club have hired out the uni premises then he would have been right to stop you going though. Were you heading through St Leonard's Road into the AU grounds? It also happens during the Open golf when there are loads of places you can normally get though that are out of bounds.

hellgirl · 04/08/2021 12:20

It wasn't that twatty man who left his Ranger parked blocking the gate for days, was it? Grin

He said he knew footballers Football

Hopeisnotastrategy · 04/08/2021 12:24

Was it a public footpath or road? You can't just go round closing them willy nilly, there are strict legal procedures that have to be followed first.

Orf1abc · 04/08/2021 12:36

I'd complain purely for the fact that were you a big burly bloke, they'd probably have acted in a much more respectful manner.

If it was a big burly bloke they'd have been more physical. You get some proper lunatics trying to get into training grounds, security works on an act first ask questions later basis where someone poses a security risk. Not saying I agree with it, but those players are worth many millions, and they're protected accordingly.

emmathedilemma · 04/08/2021 13:11

Bubbles no longer exist They do in Scotland @gardeninggirl68 there's restrictions on the number of people who can meet up indoors and outdoors until they get lifted on Monday 9th August.

Polkadots2021 · 04/08/2021 13:54

@NotaFan21

NC for this as very outing.

So, I was out for a run yesterday morn on one of my usual routes which includes a lap of the perimeter of the town and University playing fields where we live. They're freely open for the public to access.

I noticed there were lots of cars and banners, some saying 'Summer Edu Parking', and families with young kids milling around assumed it was some sort of summer school/camp, it wasn't closed off so continued on my way.

I was head down running when this arm was flung across my path oht of nowhere, I manged to stop but nearly smashed into it, looked up to see what can only be described as a 'men in black' type character blocking my way, who then bore down on me and shouted in my face and demanded 'where do you think you're going' I've never been so taken aback, I just laughed and said well I'm clearly running aren't I and my final destination is home, he then demanded (shouting again) 'well where's home, where do you live' again I was aghast I'm a middle aged woman just clearly out doing some exercise. And I have some stranger shouting at me demanding to know where I live 'I said I'm really sorry I run this route several times a week, this is my home what's the problem?' He then said this area is out of bounds as Dundee United are training here this week and we can't be having them exposed to COVID. It was then I noticed there was event type hording with plastic sheeting covering it so you couldn't actually see into the pitches

I said 'I can assure you I'm not interested in going anywhere near Dundee United I just want to run out of the gate at the bottom there and then home' he then said 'well where's home' WTAF. A Uni janitor type person then appeared who'd clearly heard all this smirking and laughing, telling me you have to go back the way you came. I actually felt very intimidated. Weirdly there again a few families and older teens hanging around in this bit - I was confused as none of them were being balled at or told to go back the way they'd come.

I also could quite easily have crashed into his arm, I was going at a real lick so would have really hurt myself if I hadn't managed to stop.

I had one last try at saying 'look I just want out the gate at the bottom' but they told me it was locked any way - it flaming wasn't as I ran back up thr other side and checked on my way back.

I felt really uneasy about it all day, I was just a woman on my own out for a run and felt like I'd been treated like a criminal and needlessly intimidated, when people who were clearly there to see them and might have bothered them weren't.

Anyway I've since found out it's not Dundee United - I was very surprised they would be so pathetically precious, my DH was actually laughing and saying haven't they all had COVID. It turns out it's actually Man U training there this week!

Am I being unreasonable to think they can F Off and that they need to climb down out of their own backsides and have a bit more respect for the people who actually live in the neighbourhoods where they're training - I could give no more fks about Man U than the moth that's currently buzzing round this room. It was totally disproportionate and unprofessional behaviour and very odd to have signalled me out.

I want to complain but I don't even know who to!

Yea this is disgusting. It's the one post that I'd hope the Daily Fail picks up!
topwings · 04/08/2021 14:11

I don't see what complaint you can make other than you didn't like the way the security man spoke to you.

If you were on private grounds that were closed off to the public, you were in the wrong. To be fair, the security guard had no way of knowing if you really were just going to run out the gate or were actually a crazed superfan stalker.

OnTheBoardwalk · 04/08/2021 14:29

If you were on private grounds that were closed off to the public, you were in the wrong

This!

It was private land being used by United that you weren’t entitled to be running on for security and safety reasons due to a private event

You wouldn't like it if the team rocked up and started training in your private garden

Booboosweet · 04/08/2021 14:58

I think you should have taken notice of the fact that it was off limits for a private event

Missushbb · 04/08/2021 15:14

Why did you keep running when you knew it was closed for a private event? You were in the wrong. If you feel uneasy its because you were in the wrong, and didnt like being told!!

Greenpolkadot · 04/08/2021 18:12

Gob off a bit on their official fb page