England footballer Jack Grealish ‘assaulted’ by Man Utd fan, 20, at Old Trafford

A Manchester United supporter has been arrested and charged with assault for allegedly slapping Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish in the face.

The incident allegedly took place following Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford as Grealish was making his way back into the away dressing room.

Before reaching the tunnel, Grealish is believed to have been beckoned over by a member of the crowd and was slapped in the face when he reached the fans at the bottom of the Stretford End.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed Alfie Holt, 20, has been charged with assault following the incident.

A statement read: ‘Alfie Holt, 20, of Haven Drive, Droylsden, has been charged with assault. He will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court.

‘This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club yesterday.’

Grealish started the Manchester derby on the bench before being brought on by Pep Guardiola with around 20 minutes remaining.

Man United and Man City are yet to comment on the incident but Grealish is not thought to have been seriously injured.

Chances were few and far between in Sunday’s derby, with United and City playing out an uneventful goalless draw.

Following the stalemate, Guardiola hit out at a section of the home fans who sang derogatory chants about the mother of Manchester City and England star Phil Foden.

‘Lack of class,’ Guardiola said. ‘But it’s not United [the club], it’s the people, you know?

‘We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football – managers, owners, and football players especially.

‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’

Fans and pundits were left underwhelmed by the derby, with Gary Neville saying he found it a ‘depressing’ watch. 

‘It was really disappointing,’ the ex-Manchester United and England defender said on Sky Sports.  

‘I apologise for my co-commentary. I think I let it get to me. I think l was boring on there as well. 

‘The game was quite depressing. We are seeing a lot of these type of games. 

‘The Premier League is about excitement, thrill and risk. There was nothing like that today – and that’s not good enough. 

‘This robotic nature of not leaving our positions, of being micromanaged within an inch of our lives, of not having any freedom to take a risk to go and try and win a football match, it’s becoming an illness in the game, it’s becoming a disease in the game. 

‘Pep Guardiola and his teams over the last 10 years, that’s what his teams do. But we’re seeing poor imitations of that across the board now.’ 

The draw left Manchester United 13th in the Premier League, some 35 points behind champions-elect Liverpool, while Manchester City stay fifth. 

Last week, Grealish dedicated his first Premier League goal in over a year to his younger brother Keelan, who died 25 years ago. 

Grealish looked to the sky after netting a second-minute opener in Man City’s 2-0 win over Leicester City, remembering his brother Keelan who died at the age of nine months due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 

‘My little brother passed away 25 years ago today,’ he told BBC Sport after the game. ‘This day is hard on the family. 

‘My mum and dad were here, so to score and to win was brilliant.’ 

The England footballer later paid a tribute on Instagram, writing: ‘With me always especially this day … that was for you Keelan.’ 

Grealish has won three Premier League titles and the Champions League since joining Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021.

The 29-year-old has 39 caps for England and helped the Three Lions reach the Euro 2020 final before being left out of last summer’s tournament.

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