United fans defend Moyes plane banner

Manchester United fans have defended their planned banner protest at today's game at Old Trafford, saying it will prove manager David Moyes does not have the backing he claims.

A group of disgruntled United fans have clubbed together £840 (€1,016) to pay for a banner reading ‘Wrong One — Moyes Out’ to be flown above Old Trafford in the build-up to United’s lunch-time kick-off against Aston Villa.

The message mocks a banner in the Stretford End which proclaims Moyes as ‘The Chosen One’ — a reference to the fact Alex Ferguson hand-picked Moyes to be his successor last summer.

Protest organiser Wes Jones said: "The rumblings of discontent have started in the stands."

"We wanted to show that support isn't as 100% as Moyes would like to think."

The move has split opinion among supporters, some of whom feel the protest is heaping unnecessary humiliation on Moyes, who has endured a torrid debut campaign at Old Trafford.

The plane's pilot, Chris Mustow, says it is just a bit of fun.

He said: "I am not a football fan, so it doesn't bother me in that sense. But of course I am aware of the situation.

"I just find it all quite amusing really. No-one is going to miss the message, that's for sure."

Another banner, trailed from a different plane, was flown over the stadium soon after.