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Raid at Man Utd footballer's home Raid at Man Utd footballer's home
(40 minutes later)
Burglars have targeted the home of Manchester United star Darren Fletcher. Two women were held at knifepoint in a raid on the home of Manchester United star Darren Fletcher.
Two women were threatened during the break-in in Bowdon, Greater Manchester on Monday night, police said. Three men forced open the door of the house in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, on Monday night and threatened the women by holding knives to their throats.
The Scotland midfielder lives at the house with his girlfriend and two sons, The children, twins aged two, were in the house at the time. Fletcher, 25, lives with his partner and two-year-old twin sons, who were at home at the time.
Fletcher, 25, who is in Italy for a Champions League match, is one of several players to have been burgled while away from home with their clubs. The Scotland player is in Italy and is one of several players to be burgled while away from home with their clubs.
A woman at the property called the police at about 2100 GMT, but the burglars had left by the time officers arrived. Police said three men kicked open the front door and went into the living room, where they demanded one of the women take off her engagement ring.
Maybe you saw a car driving away from this area at speed, or maybe somebody you know was bragging about or planning this Sgt Phil Seeley She handed it over, but was grabbed by one of the gang by her hair and had a knife held to her throat.The gang kicked down the front door of the house
The gang went through the £50,000-a-week player's house, raiding rooms and snatching property, police said. Another robber grabbed the second woman and also threatened her with a knife.
The gang went through the £50,000-a-week player's house, raiding rooms and snatching property. Jewellery and watches were stolen.
A woman at the house called the police at about 2100 GMT, but the burglars had left by the time officers arrived.
Sgt Phil Seeley of Trafford's Crime Team said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victims who were at home.Sgt Phil Seeley of Trafford's Crime Team said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victims who were at home.
"Luckily the children didn't see anything and nobody was hurt. We are appealing to anyone with information around this crime."Luckily the children didn't see anything and nobody was hurt. We are appealing to anyone with information around this crime.
"Maybe you saw a car driving away from this area at speed, or maybe somebody you know was bragging about or planning this.""Maybe you saw a car driving away from this area at speed, or maybe somebody you know was bragging about or planning this."
Forensic work
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said scenes of crime officers had been called to the house and inquiries were continuing.A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said scenes of crime officers had been called to the house and inquiries were continuing.
Bowdon is on the Greater Manchester and Cheshire border and is home to several multi-millionaire footballers.Bowdon is on the Greater Manchester and Cheshire border and is home to several multi-millionaire footballers.
Other players whose homes have been targeted while they were away with their clubs include Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, as well as several of his colleagues at the club. The Merseyside home of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was targeted while he was away with the club, and several of his colleagues have been the target of burglaries.
Fletcher, who has made 200 appearances for United since making his debut in March 2003, is thought to be the first Manchester United player to fall victim to such a burglary.Fletcher, who has made 200 appearances for United since making his debut in March 2003, is thought to be the first Manchester United player to fall victim to such a burglary.
The club are preparing to take on Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday evening in a crucial Champions League match.The club are preparing to take on Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday evening in a crucial Champions League match.