Manchester United fans showed support for David Moyes despite a fly-past protest during the Premier League match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
A banner with the words: “Wrong One – Moyes Out” in seven-foot high red lettering was flown above the ground at the start of the match.
But the plane was booed when spotted overhead and a chant of “One David Moyes” rang out around the ground.
The protest was organised by fans unhappy at Moyes’s start at United.
The disgruntled fans hired the plane and the banner as a response to the ‘Chosen One’ banner on the Stretford End at Old Trafford, which refers to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s role in Moyes’s appointment as his successor.
Former England full-back Danny Mills, summarising for BBC Radio 5 live, said: “I think the Manchester United fans who spent the money should have saved themselves a few quid: half of the ground didn’t see it and the rest didn’t pay very much attention to it.”
Moyes reacted to the planned protest by making the unusual step of walking out before his team, and was clapped all the way to the dug-out.
The Scot showed his appreciation, raising his hands and clapping towards all four corners of the stadium.
“There were definite boos when the plane went overhead – fans in the Stretford End were then applauding in unison and to me that is a signal of support for the manager. It seems to have triggered support for David Moyes,” said BBC Radio 5 live commentator John Murray.
