Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he found Tuesday's events in
France difficult to digest.
Manchester United claimed a 1-0 win over Lille courtesy of a
controversial Ryan Giggs free-kick, but the victory was
overshadowed by a number of other incidents.
Lille's players took exception to the goal and appeared to attempt
to walk off the field before being persuaded to play on, while the
French club's fans rained down objects onto the field - one of
which struck Gary Neville on the head.
There was also a frightening incident earlier in the game, as a
number of United fans were forced to scale the perimeter fence amid
fears there would be a crush in the stands.
United are set to issue a report to Uefa about the incident, as
fans were sprayed with tear gas by riot police, and Ferguson claims
he has never before witnessed such behaviour from Lille's players
and fans.
"It was intentional," Ferguson told Sky Sports News about Lille's
attempted walk-off. "We should have taken the throw-in right away
and got on with the game.
"It created such a melee of bodies on the touchline and the game
was stopped because of it."
Neville came off the field with a head wound and the incident left
a nasty taste in Ferguson's mouth.
"I have never seen anything like it in my life," he added. "It was
intimidation of the fans, it made it hostile.
"Gary Neville was struck on the head by an object.
"They started bombarding all areas of the pitch and I have never
seen anything like it, so I don't know how to digest it.
"Obviously Uefa will do something, but it is in their hands."
United director of communications Phil Townsend confirmed the club
will seek answers about the treatment of their fans.
He said: "We will obviously make our reports of our officials'
observations. Uefa will have theirs, the safety officials from this
ground and this club will have theirs and the police will have a
say."
