Malcolm Glazer's three sons returned to Old Trafford this afternoon only hours after being forced to take refuge in a police van from hundreds of Manchester United fans furious at their debt-funded takeover of the club.

But there was no repeat of the trouble that marred their first visit to the Florida family's new club as Joel, Avi and Brian Glazer toured Manchester United's vast merchandising operation and met key club figures including the former England soccer legend, Sir Bobby Charlton.

Joel Glazer, tipped as the club's future chairman, is thought to have addressed staff to reassure them that the club's new owners are not planning any radical changes.

Greater Manchester Police said that two people were arrested during last night's confrontation, one a 15-year-old boy who received a caution and the other a 19-year-old who was charged with a public order offence and possessing a CS gas canister.

It took more than 100 police officers and scores of dogs to ensure the safety of the three brothers, who are newly elected to the United board, as they left Old Trafford after a four-hour visit to the ground.

After earlier meetings with senior executives of the Football Association and Premier League, and a tour of Westminster with Richard Caborn, the Sports Minister, the Glazer brothers had to be smuggled out of Old Trafford in a police van.

Oliver Kay, Times Football Correspondent, said that the police van was immediately surrounded by around 400 angry fans, who rushed to the players' entrance as the vehicle appeared. Demonstrators were flung out of the way as they tried to stage a sit-down protest in the van's path and police dogs barked incessantly.

The depth of the fans' feelings was shown by their chants - "Die, Glazer, Die" and "How we’ll kill him we don’t know, cut him up from head to toe, all we know is Glazer’s gonna die".

After today's meeting, Sir Bobby said: "I do not worry about the future of Manchester United as much as I did. I went in with a very open mind and I was pleased to hear they won’t be making any changes.

"They know all about the history of the club, about Munich and what happened there. I think the club is bigger than the Glazer family, the players or the directors that have been here before. I am happy with what they had to say and feel better for hearing them."

Arguments raged on Manchester United fan websites this morning about whether the protests had done the fans' cause more harm than good - some making the point that the only way to repay Mr Glazer for his takeover was for fans to destroy the club they love.

"No matter what your feelings are towards Glazier, there is no excuse for wishing death on anyone or behaving in such a manner," said one poster on the RedCafe.net site. "Above all it does the club no favours. For the ones who want to drive the Glaziers out of the club; it will probably only tighten their resolve."

Others accused the police of over-reacting and unnecessarily aggressive tactics against what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration.

"The Glazer family are the enemies of Manchester United," said the Shareholders United vice-chairman, Sean Bones, who was present throughout the five-hour demonstration.

"We find them disgusting and repulsive. They may have captured the club but they only have it on a temporary basis. It might take a long time, maybe two or three years, but we are showing Glazer that we won’t give up. In the long-term the Glazer brand will be suffocated."

The Glazers were accompanied on their tour of Old Trafford by David Gill, the chief executive, and Andy Anson, the commercial director ousted, and then reinstated to the United board by Malcolm Glazer. Their visit followed meetings with club sponsors and came 24 hours after they held discussions with English football's top brass.

In direct contrast to last night’s visit generated, the Glazers were encouraged by the fruitful meetings with Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, and his counterpart at the Premier League, Richard Scudamore.

"There has been a lot in the UK press about us in the last 18 months and this has been an invaluable chance to tell the men who run the game what the truth is," said Joel Glazer.

During their visit, the Glazers have reaffirmed their commitment to the collective Premier League television deal, insisted they are not a threat to the stable future of the game and also promised to support a Government-backed healthy eating campaign.

"I am pleased to report there is a great deal of common ground between us," said Mr Scudamore, who had previously warned the Glazers he would fiercely protect the collective bargaining deal. "Crucially, on the matter of collective selling of our television rights, we have received an unequivocal commitment to continue on the current basis.

"Since the formation of the Premier League, Manchester United have played a key role in shaping its fortunes and I am confident that the club and its new owners are committed to continuing this."

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