'Lifelike' device exploded at Old Trafford

Experts blew up an "incredibly lifelike explosive device" which forced the evacuation of Old Trafford stadium ahead of Manchester United's Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

"Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device," Greater Manchester Police said on its Twitter account.

They added: "Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn?t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing."

The emergency was signalled just 20 minutes before the scheduled start of what should have been United's final home game this season in the 75,600 capacity stadium.