Famed television writer Jimmy McGovern admits he tries to offend Manchester United fans every chance he gets in his shows.
McGovern said that he was taken to task by BBC chiefs over concerns that his writing would offend Manchester United fans.
The screenwriter, whose credits include Cracker, Hillsborough and Sunday, said he was approached by the Corporation's compliance unit over hit drama The Street.
He told the Radio Times: "I ask, 'What is the point of this unit?' And the response is, 'It's in case you cause offence'.
"They've asked questions, particularly about the anti-Manchester United bias in The Street - there was this big spiel about a character wanting to shoot Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand."
The Liverpool-born writer said: "I told them every chance I get I write with anti-Manchester United bias.
"I'm a dramatist. Imagine on my tombstone if it read, 'Jimmy McGovern, writer - never offended anybody'. How would I feel? That's my job."
