ALEX Batty was United again with his favourite football team last night as he cheered on Manchester United against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

       The teenager wore a new replica shirt as his uncle and granddad accompanied him to a game for the first time since he returned from France on December 16 after spending six years missing.

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       Alex Batty went to his first Man U game since he returned from France on December 16 after spending six years missing Credit: Paul Cousans / The Sun 4

       United fan Alex said: 'I’ve heard things have changed for the worse since Sir Alex Ferguson retired' Credit: Paul Cousans / The Sun

       Alex, 17, was just 11 when he disappeared in September 2017 after mum Melanie, 43, and his other granddad David, 64, took him to Spain on holiday but failed to return home.

       United fan Alex said: “I’ve heard things have changed for the worse since Sir Alex Ferguson retired but I’m excited to go and watch a game live. It’s a dream come true to go to the stadium again.”

       French cops are hunting Alex’s mum and grandad after Gtr Manchester Police launched a criminal investigation into abduction.

       Earlier this month, the teenager turned his back on the hippy lifestyle after clashing with his mother, saying: “She’s a great person and I love her but she’s just not a great mum.”

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       ALEX'S JOURNEY How mum and grandad's 'off-grid' beliefs led Alex Batty to French commune

       The 17-year-old’s yearning to be a normal youngster led to him hatching “Le Great Escape” from their rented home in the French Pyrenees.

       Alex told how he walked out on mum Melanie, 43, and grandad David, 64, after six years of wandering across Europe, saying: “I had an argument with my mum and I just thought I’m gonna leave because I can’t live with her.”

       Alex trekked for 22 miles over two days last week before a delivery driver spotted him carrying a skateboard at 3am and stopped.

       He let the lad use his phone to message nan and legal guardian Susan Caruana, 68: “Hello grandma ils(sic) me alex please pick up”.

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       The driver then took Alex to a police station.

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       The missing teen ended six years on the run with a hastily scribbled note to his mum — realising 'it was no way to live' Credit: The Sun 4

       Alex before he went missing Credit: PA:Press Association