Greater Manchester Police made dozens of arrests after chaos broke out in the stands at Old Trafford after large groups of Rangers fans bought tickets in the Manchester United home end
Police made a total of 39 arrests in connection with the chaos that erupted around Rangers’ clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Manchester city centre was swarmed by thousands of Rangers fans before the Europa League match on Thursday (January 23). Red flares lit up Great Ancoats Street, with some fans reportedly lobbing bottles and chanting, causing pedestrians to scarper.
Of the total arrests, 26 were linked to the disorder on Great Ancoats Street, as per the Manchester Evening News. It’s believed many of these arrests were made to prevent further breaches of peace.
A heavy police presence, including TAU vans, was reported in the area. Videos captured fans clad in black and wearing face coverings shouting ‘who are ya’ at police officers.
But fighting also broke out inside the stadium. During the match, which saw United triumph 2-1, several Rangers fans were ejected from the home end, with some caught on camera fighting with home supporters.
Footage of Rangers fans chanting in a home section concourse went viral before kick-off and United fans reported that stewards warned them of their presence around the stadium.
After the game, Manchester United released a statement, which said: “In anticipation of the risks around tonight’s game, we took the strictest possible measures to prevent sales to away fans in home areas.
“Tickets were only allocated to people who existed on our database prior to the draw taking place in August. Hospitality tickets had the same restrictions applied.
“Tickets forwarded by season ticket-holders and members also had the same restrictions applied (i.e. they could only be forwarded to fans on our database prior to the draw).
“Whilst the unauthorised touting of tickets has become more difficult since our introduction of in-app digital ticketing, it cannot be completely eliminated.
“All examples of away fans in home areas will be investigated over the coming days, with the strongest possible sanctions taken against the registered holders.”
However, Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) criticised the club for not doing more to prevent the ugly scenes inside the ground and hit out at an “inadequate” response from police and security to the visiting supporters who took over areas of the stadium reserved for United fans.
“We’ve had many disturbing reports from last night highlighting incidents with Rangers fans in home sections,” a MUST statement read.
“Some were occupying seats of home fans, refusing to move and even threatening them when they tried to take their own seats. In the worst cases there were incidents of fighting as a result of these away fans being in home sections, with no police/security response.
“Certainly no United fan should face any sanction as a result of away fans being in home sections and not being dealt with by police or security.”