Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has insisted that there is little "to be gained" from the planned plane protest that is due to fly over Old Trafford this afternoon.

A selection of United supporters have hired an aircraft with a banner attached to it, which will read 'Wrong One - Moyes Out' in seven-foot high lettering. The arrangement is that pilot Chris Mustow will circle over the stadium just before United's home encounter with Aston Villa.

However, despite the team's struggles under David Moyes this season, Higginbotham has told Sports Mole that more would be gained by the fans showing a "united front".

"[The protest is] not helpful. From what I've seen this season, the United fans have been absolutely fantastic. They've stood behind the team. I'm a United supporter and I know what the fans are all about. They get behind the players and everybody involved within the club," said the 35-year-old.

"If that goes ahead, I don't see what is going to be gained from it. It's a trying time at United – they've got a tough game [against Villa], then they play Bayern Munich on Tuesday, which is doesn't get any tougher than.

"At the moment more than ever, there needs to be a united front with everybody – the fans are a huge part of that. The supporters are what primarily makes a football club. You hope that it doesn't go ahead, but if it does, it does."

The Red Devils go into the clash with Villa seventh in the Premier League table, 18 points worse off than leaders Chelsea.