Manchester United's last league game of the season was abandoned and their Old Trafford stadium evacuated Sunday after the discovery of a suspect package. The apparent "bomb" was later found to be a training device.

Two stands inside the ground - the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End - were evacuated about 30 minutes before the scheduled kickoff time of 3 p.m. local time for the fixture against Bournemouth.

After investigation the device was later found to have been an explosives training device left over from a midweek training exercise, described by police as not "viable."

Bomb disposal experts carried out the controlled explosion shortly before 6 p.m.

Fans in other stands had initially been allowed to stay inside the stadium, with police asking people to "avoid the area if possible."

Announcements were made on the public address system that security staff should invoke "operation red code." Fans in the South and East Stands - including the travelling contingent of Bournemouth supporters - were told to remain in their seats before the game was called off.

This is the second time in less than a week that Manchester United have been involved in a security incident.

Their game against West Ham United on Tuesday was delayed after their team bus was attacked.

The rest of the final round of games went ahead as scheduled. The Premier League later issued a statement, apologizing to fans for the inconvenience and saying the match would be rescheduled for Tuesday.

(DW)