Complaints have been made about Manchester United-employed security guards asking to stop and search people on Sir Matt Busby Way – a public street.

Club bosses insist they respect people’s right to commute along the stretch of road and that all searches are voluntary.

A spokeswoman said people can take a different route around the car park opposite the stadium, if they wish. If not, they’re asked to take another specific route so security can keep an eye on people as they pass through the crowds.

But some people aren’t impressed.

One Twitter user, Christina Knox, said she objects to commuters being searched.

She said: “On cycle commute home I was made to dismount and bag searched outside Old Trafford. Then escorted across  (on foot), pedestrians not – do they think a bike is a weapon?!

“Four hours before the match… never happened before. Think Manchester is getting less bike friendly.”

A week later, she tweeted: “Same as last week… the guy who searched my bag today told me it’s private land, owned by the stadium, didn’t feel I could argue with him.

“Everyone today was polite – I didn’t feel harassed, and happy to dismount when it’s busy. I do however object to compulsory bag searches!”

However the club said all searches are carried out on a voluntary basis and are done to ensure the safety of fans.

A spokesperson for Manchester United said: “People passing through Sir Matt Busby Way are asked to have their bags inspected by security staff. If they do not wish to do this then alternative measures are in place to allow them to pass through the area, all of which are done on a voluntary basis and are requested to maintain the safety of the supporters visiting Old Trafford.”

Home Office guidelines state stop and search powers are restricted to police constables and other special police forces.

The guidance adds that security staff can search people, with their consent, “as a condition of entry into private premises.”

In other words, that person must be entering the property security staff are employed by to enable a bag search to take place and that bag search must be agreed to.

More than 45,000 people pass through Sir Matt Busby Way and the forecourt outside Old Trafford within an hour when Manchester United play at home.

It is understood that security staff at the club try to identify people who are attending the match but that this isn’t always straightforward.

Manchester United has a strict bag policy for match attendees which means anyone with large bags will not be allowed to enter the stadium or its surrounding area, but there is a bag drop on site which security will direct fans towards.

The club said it deploys security staff in high visibility jackets in Sir Matt Busby Way to raise awareness of this policy, provide reassurance for match attendees and ask commuters to pass through the area via specific routes.

The Manchester United spokeswoman added: “With up to 75,000 supporters visiting Old Trafford on a match day, the safety of fans and visitors is of the utmost importance.

“Part of this includes restricting carrying of larger bags on the stadium footprint. We understand and respect that many people commute across Sir Matt Busby Way and various methods are in place to ensure there is minimum disruption to this around home games, while maintaining the safety of all fans and the surrounding area.”

Greater Manchester Police provides security support to Manchester United officials on match days, but is not in charge of the specific security plans at the stadium.

A spokesman for the force said: “As with any match day, we provide a policing presence to support the club’s security operation however questions around match day security/ entry to the grounds is a matter for the club.”

Trafford Council is aware of the situation and is in contact with Manchester United officials.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “We are aware of the concerns that have been raised by cyclists. We also know that for Manchester United the safety of fans going to the match is paramount and therefore security around the stadium is a priority.

“The council is in discussions with officials at the club regarding the matter.”