FOOTBALL giants Manchester United are backing a police appeal for information about the murder of an avid supporter.

Glynn Ellis, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was killed on Tuesday night after struggling with a gang of men who tried to steal his car outside United's Old Trafford ground.

The 46-year-old, who was collecting his Ford Mondeo from his brother's garage in the affluent Salford Quays area, was knocked down by the thieves and dragged along the road.

When the four to five-strong gang were unable to drive any further they fled the scene, leaving Mr Ellis for dead.

Thirty officers are working on a murder inquiry which is being supported by the Premiership football club, where Mr Ellis was a season ticket holder.

Details of the investigation and an appeal for witnesses to come forward will be printed in the programme at the club's home game next week.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday by a Home Office pathologist showed Mr Ellis died of "severe traumatic head injuries".

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said there had been a good public response to appeals for help.

She said detectives were keen to hear from fans who may have seen something in the St Lawrence Quay area at about 10.30pm, just after the end of United's Champions League qualifier victory over Hungarian team Zalaegerszegi.

Mr Ellis, a surveyor with Tarmac Northern, was originally from Manchester, where his parents, Douglas and Marjorie, still live. The elderly couple and other members of the family were said to be too distressed to talk about Mr Ellis' death yesterday.

Mr Ellis, a keen sports fan, had recently sold his stone cottage in High Bond End, Knaresborough, and was preparing to move to Harrogate.