A controlled explosion has been carried out at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found ahead of Manchester United's match against Bournemouth.

Two stands - the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End - were evacuated before the final game of the season and sniffer dogs brought in.

Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.

A bomb disposal team carried out the explosion at around 16:30 BST.

An "operation red code" alert was heard over the tannoy at 14:40 BST and the players who were warming up left the field.

The club announced: "Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the north-west quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned for today on police advice.

"People in the stadium are advised to remain in their seats while the forecourt is cleared of fans evacuated from the stadium. Further announcements will be made as soon as possible."

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke to Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore about the game being called off, BSports's football correspondent Phil McNulty said.

The Premier League said it was looking to rearrange the match as soon as possible.

"The game will definitely need to be played but there are logistical issues that need to be resolved," a statement read.

"However, they cannot even start to begin discussing them until the police have done what they need to do here."

Assistant Chief Constable John O'Hare, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are doing everything we can to investigate this item as quickly as possible, however our priority is obviously to ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium and surrounding area."

He said "military colleagues" were assisting, adding: "We don't make these decisions lightly and we have done this today to ensure the safety of all those attending."

Analysis

By Phil McNulty, BSports chief football writer at Old Trafford:

"The first indications that all was not well at Old Trafford came when stewards moved in to action and fans were evacuated from the Stretford End.

"Thousands of supporters were already inside Old Trafford when, in a well-organised drill, supporters in the giant Sir Alex Ferguson Stand were also moved out as a "Code Red" operation was announced over Old Trafford's public address system

"Those in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, where some had already gathered in the directors' box and the East Stand, where the massed ranks of Bournemouth supporters were assembled, were told to stay calm and remain in their seats.

"Bournemouth's players had started their warm-up but they left the pitch swiftly once it became clear a security operation was under way as police moved in and a helicopter flew above the ground.

"Some Bournemouth fans were unhappy at the regular announcements to remain in their seats, especially after word had swept around Old Trafford that the game had been called off, but safety was understandably paramount.

"Once the official announcement was made to those still inside the stadium, there was an orderly exit although roads around the ground remained cordoned off by police and stewards as fans were shepherded away from the area where police were carrying out an inspection of the suspect package."