Manchester United fans' leaders are pleading for a clear-the-air meeting with club officials as the simmering row about standing areas at Old Trafford threatens to explode into violence. The problem of fans wanting to stand in seated areas to watch matches has worsened in recent weeks amid claims from supporters of "bullying and intimidation" by security staff.

The situation came to a head during the St Stephen's Day game with Everton, when fans and security men were involved in fights as supporters were ejected from the ground.

At an emergency meeting of the Manchester United Independent Supporters' Association (MUISA) this week the club were urged to agree to a meeting with fans' leaders.

Andy Walsh, the association's spokesman, said: "The next home game is against Spurs on January 10th. We have to meet and discuss this problem before then. The brutality of some of the security staff has got beyond the joke."

In a separate development the club have issued a news letter which claims that Trafford Council have threatened that they could close the ground if the fans' rebellion is not sorted out.

United have also reminded fans of the Hillsborough disaster and the safety implications of standing in seated areas.

But MUISA now claim that the treatment handed out to fans and the methods used by security staff is making the situation worse.

Association secretary Gillian Howarth said: "The problem has grown into open defiance now. More people are standing up to protest at the way they are being treated. It is becoming a confrontation between the security men and the fans.

"People are being ejected, they have their photo taken and their season ticket withdrawn. They're treated like vermin. We've had complaints from fans saying they've been threatened and sworn at.

"But when we've asked for meetings with the club in the past to discuss the situation, we've been refused."

Vice-chairman Mike Adams explained that the meeting had been called because the situation was getting out of hand at the Everton game.

"The main problem is in a section of the ground where the view is very poor - East Stand Lower," he said.

"Apart from the wider issues, people have to stand there because they can't see properly. It's a factor that is being ignored.

"We as an association are very unhappy with the heavy-handed treatment being used by the security staff. Some people have been picked on after being identified on video and have pleaded their innocence.

"They've lost their season tickets, but they've been refused permission to see the tape themselves.

"When a whole row is standing up and one person gets picked on and thrown out, he should have the right to defend himself. Enforcement is very selective.

"This has now gone beyond our appeals for selected standing areas, where fans who want to stand can be grouped together. The way some fans are being treated is wrong."

Maurice Watkins, Manchester United director and club solicitor, said: "We do investigate complaints made against our stewards and the security company we use, and any legitimate complaints will continue to be looked at.

"But we really must make it clear that people cannot stand persistently. It is contrary to the licensing authorities and against the law as well as being anti-social.

"The club has said time and time again that there cannot be persistent standing."