The boss of a Kent security firm that accidentally left a fake bomb at Old Trafford is waiting to hear from Manchester United's management.

Christopher Reid, who runs Security Search Management & Solutions Ltd, apologised to fans and joked his firm "is probably about to go into liquidation".

Staff from Mr Reid's company accidentally left a fake bomb in a toilet before Manchester United's home game against Bournemouth yesterday, sparking a security alert that saw the stadium evacuated.

The delay is likely to cost millions of pounds in losses as the game was postponed until tomorrow night.

Mr Reid worked previouly for G4S where he was responsible for training guards involved in search and screening vehicles and visitors at the London Olympics.

"I'm sure they're having meetings at the moment to see which guillotine they're going to use on me. I have to take responsibility in the end, I won't shirk my responsibility"

The company faced enormous criticism and chief executive Nick Buckles resigned after the army was drafted in to provide back-up security because the G4S failed to provide the staff needed.

But today Mr Reid said: "I can't say anything at the moment - I'm waiting for Manchester United to get back to me.

"Obviously, it's a security issue. If it was any other sort of issue and I needed to put my side of the story then it would be different.

"But I'm waiting for them to get back to me. I'm just fixing my roof while I've still got one. I can't say anything.

"They said this afternoon, and I'm sure they're having meetings at the moment to see which guillotine they're going to use on me. I have to take responsibility in the end, I won't shirk my responsibility.

"It will come out I'm sure. I don't know what I'm allowed to say, what they want me to say, or anything like this so I don't want to compromise that at all.

"There's a lot I want to say to the fans, but I don't want to do that now. I've actually spoken to a couple of people who were there and they said don't worry about it, everybody was fine.

"I said as long as no one was injured, and I'm really sorry they had to miss their game."

Mr Reid was speaking at his home in Biggin Hill today. Asked to confirm his job title, Mr Reid said: "I'm the managing director of Security Search Management & Solutions Ltd, which is probably about to go into liquidation."

On his Linkedin page Mr Reid writes: "In the lead-up and during the London 2012 Olympics I had responsibility for the initial training of all personnel who provided the Search & Screening capability for vehicles and persons entering the Olympic Park plus refresher training and procedural quality assurance during the games period."

He adds that he also worked for the Met Police for more than 32 years as a Counter Terrorist Police Search Advisor (PolSA) "responsible for advising Chief Police Officers on counter terrorist and other search related matters.

"Planning, Command & Control of Search Operations, e.g. royal engagements, state visits, military events, bomb scenes, major crime scenes, missing persons, and summits such as G20."