Manchester United have sent an SOS to a bat expert.

United have submitted a planning application to have floodlights installed on the practice fields at their Aon-sponsored complex in Carrington.

And as part of the application, United called in a bat expert to consider any lasting effect on the local wildlife.

Bats are protected by UK law and should the proposals be viewed as damaging to the three species spotted at the rural location, the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistelle and Daunbenton's, it could be knocked back, says the Daily Mail.