A Manchester United fan from Frodsham is appealing for the return of his 'hugely sentimental' flag.
Adam Frost has taken to social media in a bid to track down the matchday flag commemorating the victims of the Munich air disaster.
Furious United fans have shared his posts and are urging Sunderland supporters, who allegedly stole the flag, to return it.
The iconic flag, familiar to the Old Trafford faithful , was reportedly snatched from outside a pub before the Reds’ Premier League tie against Sunderland on Boxing Day.
The flag, which reads ‘Champions of Heaven since 1958’, is of ‘huge sentimental value’ to Adam. It has been signed by scores of United players.
He has been hanging it outside the Sam Platts pub before kick off for a number of years on matchday, as it is too big to take into the ground.
United fans on Twitter and Facebook claim a pair of Sunderland fans took the flag after they were refused entry to Old Trafford.
A picture has been shared on social media, though it has not been confirmed the men in the image did steal the flag - or are Sunderland fans.
The image shows two hooded men holding the flag making obscene gestures to the camera outside the Victoria Warehouse.
Adam, 27, said: “I’ve had the flag for about three years and I’ve been hanging it outside the Sam Platts pub on matchday.
“I hang it up on the railings outside, go for a drink, then get it on the way back after the game.
“It’s really important to me. I’ve never had a problem before. I’m gutted. It’s been signed by a lot of players - and obviously is a tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster.
“I just want it back.”
A tweet from one Sunderland fan read: “They cheat and score an offside goal. We nick their Munich flag. Kind of evens itself out really.”
One United fan told our sister paper the M.E.N: “Adam is absolutely fuming, we all are. We’re very upset. It’s a flag commemorating those who died in the Munich crash. We just want it back.”
Many United fans have slammed the ‘disgusting’ thieves who apparently took the flag.
The Reds beat Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan left fans in awe after scoring an overhead backheel wonder goal after coming off the bench.
Black Cats fans were furious as the Armenian appeared offside, but that didn’t bother United fans, who are tipping the strike for goal of the season.
