Update on Man Utd banner torn down by Galatasaray fans ahead of Brentford game

The Sir Matty Busby banner that was torn down at Old Trafford by Galatasaray fans on Tuesday night has been restored by Manchester United staff.

The banner, which conveys a quote from the former Red Devils boss and is situated in the East Stand, was ripped down by away supporters during the Champions League group-stage defeat on Tuesday night. Hundreds of Galatasaray fans managed to obtain seats in the home sections of Old Trafford, with large numbers congregating near the away corner at the end of the game, as they celebrated a famous 3-2 victory for their side.

It’s an incident the club are investigating, with the initial suggestions that fans bought tickets from touts while some UK-based Galatasaray supporters purchased seats through official channels.

Footage on social media after Tuesday’s game showed a number of away fans managing to tear down half of the Busby banner, which was designed and installed by Stretford End Flags (SEF). The group are responsible for several banners in Old Trafford and are a fan-funded organisation.

SEF posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to confirm the banner was retrieved by United staff after the game and has been restored. It will be on show once again during Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brentford.

“The torn down section of the Sir Matt Busby "Honour and Glory" banner was retrieved from the away fan as he tried to leave OT with it,” the fan group wrote on social media. “After a quick repair job it's back on the tier. Big [round of applause emoji] to all the #mufc staff who assisted in it's retrieval and repair.”

SEF told ManchesterWorld that the disregard shown to the banner on Tuesday was an ‘insult’, especially given stewards inside the stadium did little to prevent the Galatasaray fans from removing the sign.