18 'cells' of United fans plan Cheltenham protest

Manchester United fans plan to step up their protests against major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham next month.

Up to 18 sets of fans are reportedly ready to demonstrate against the two Irishmen, who are involved in a legal battle with manager Alex Ferguson over the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

In a statement released to the Racing Post, United4Action claim 15 “cells” of fans will be in the Tattersalls enclosure and three in the Courage enclosure.

At a given time, these “will be activated at two or more very specific points with the idea that this will cause immense embarrassment to Mr McManus."

The protest will take place unless Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie grants the group permission to stage a protest.

“We have not made a decision on the request to allow United fans to protest but I need to respond to the e-mail by the end of tomorrow, otherwise it looks as if we are playing hard to get,” Gillespie said.

“Whichever way we go, the situation will have to be managed.”