Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Leeds United was brought to a premature close after multiple pitch invaders ran onto the field for selfies with players. The match was halted in the 89th minute when referee Neil Doyle blew the whistle early, with a penalty shootout to follow.
Pitch invaders disrupt play
As the ball went out of play following a Manchester United attack, five or six children raced onto the pitch to pose for pictures with their favourite players. Two made their way to the middle of the pitch for a picture with Youri Tielemans, who stopped to pose for the young fans.
The children then ran off the field, one with his hands aloft as he was cheered by the crowd, while security gestured them off. The security appeared to be booed by those in the ground before cheers broke out as the children safely returned to the stands.
More fans follow, referee ends match
Their success prompted more kids to run onto the pitch, with one United fan making a beeline for Bruno Fernandes, who also posed for a picture as more cheers broke out. Additional security members came onto the pitch to remove the children, delaying play by two minutes.
Speaking on ITV commentary, Sam Matterface said: "Some young supporters have come running onto the pitch, which is not particularly helpful but they're being entertained by some of the senior players."
He added: "I don't think Daniel Farke is too happy about it. One has become two, now two has become three. They're all kids who are going up for selfies which is not great."
Matterface continued: "Because the players are standing there and doing it, it's encouraging more to come on and do it. We've got a fourth one coming on which has caused a delay to proceedings and it makes a mockery of the security."
He noted: "A fifth one escapes a barrier and starts charging on, oh and a sixth. We'll have the whole lot on in a minute. Oh dear. It's a little bit of fun but it's not the greatest end to the match itself and the referee has decided to call a halt to proceedings to finish the game off and it'll be a penalty shootout at the end."
