Manchester, England – Horror unfolded on the rain-slicked streets of Manchester late Sunday evening as Manchester United’s first-team bus veered out of control, plowing into a group of unsuspecting pedestrians near Old Trafford. The catastrophic incident, just hours after a tense 1-1 draw with Everton, has left the football world in stunned silence, with reports confirming serious injuries to several Red Devils stars and innocent bystanders.
Eyewitnesses described a scene straight out of a nightmare. The luxury coach, carrying the squad including captain Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Kobbie Mainoo, was en route to a team hotel when the driver – believed to have suffered a medical episode – lost control on foggy Chester Road. Skidding wildly, the bus mounted the curb and barreled into a cluster of about a dozen fans gathered for a post-match autograph session, along with a family crossing the road.
“I heard screams, then this massive crunch,” sobbed local shopkeeper Raj Patel, 42, who filmed the chaos on his phone. The clip, already viral with 5.2 million views on X, shows shattered glass flying, bodies tumbling, and players scrambling from the wreckage. Initial reports from Greater Manchester Police indicate up to 15 injuries, including suspected fractures and head trauma. Fernandes was seen clutching his ankle, bloodied; Rashford helped a young fan to safety before collapsing himself.
Ambulances swarmed the scene within minutes, airlifting three victims – two players and a child – to Salford Royal Hospital. “It’s touch and go for some,” a paramedic whispered to reporters. United legend Gary Neville, arriving in tears, called it “our darkest night since Munich.” The club tweeted at 10:15 p.m.: “Emergency services on site. Player welfare priority. More soon.”
Social media erupted in grief and fury. #PrayForUnited trended globally, amassing 3.8 million posts in under an hour, with tributes pouring in from rivals like Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk: “Thoughts with the Reds family.” But anger simmers too – #INSECURITYNOW spikes as fans blast lax post-game protocols. “Why no escort? This is negligence!” one viral rant fumed.
Rúben Amorim, the shell-shocked manager, was among the walking wounded, herding teammates into waiting vans. “Football means nothing right now,” he muttered to Sky cameras. Investigations are underway, with the driver – a 58-year-old United veteran – detained for questioning.
As dawn breaks over a city draped in scarves and silence, Manchester unites in vigil. The beautiful game? Shattered. But the Red Devils’ spirit? Unbreakable. Updates as we get them – hold your loved ones tight.
