Video of Rangers fans, dressed in black with face coverings, throwing bottles, fighting with Manchester United fans and causing passengers-by to flee, have gone viral on social media. According to Manchester Evening News, heavy police machinery was deployed in the area ahead of the Europa League clash between United and Rangers but fans of the Scottish club still managed to make a nuisance of themselves.
As per reports, a number of arrests have been made in connection with the disorder on Great Ancoats Street. "Police made a few arrests, I counted 6-7. The last one was being put in a TAU (Tactical Aid Unit) van," a witness was quoted as saying by the publication.
Man United and Rangers fans clashing in the streets 👊🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/9oPI1nKFK8
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) January 23, 2025
At the match, which saw United win 2-1, a number of Rangers fans were also removed from the Home end after they managed to find a seat there. Around 25 police officers were called to the home end to move a chanting group of Rangers fans away and escort them back towards the away stand.
Rangers fans chanting in the home end at Old Trafford ahead of their Europa League clash with Man United 😳
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) January 23, 2025
It is reported that several hundred Rangers supporters have managed to get tickets in the home end.
pic.twitter.com/oNMCji7LZf
Rangers and Manchester United fans fighting in United end at Old Trafford tonight.pic.twitter.com/AljZvNrTeI
— Kyama (@ElijahKyama_) January 23, 2025
United issue statement
Only 3,500 away tickets were offered for the match but a significantly large number of Rangers fans could be seen interspersed throughout the stadium, resulting in complaints to the United board and police.
The club released a statement in the aftermath, promising "strongest possible action" against those who might have sold their ticket to the foreigners.
"In anticipation of the risks around tonight's game, we took the strictest possible measures to prevent sales to away fans in home areas," a United spokesperson paid.
"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."
Previous instance
Notably, this is not the first instance when Rangers fans have brought trouble to the city of Manchester. 17 years ago, more than 100,000 Scots descended to the city to watch their team play the Europa League final against Zenit St Petersburg at the Etihad Stadium. While only 13,000 had the tickets to the rest, the rest gathered at a fan zone in Piccadilly Gardens where the police clashed with them
Around 42 arrests were made with a judge later describing it as the worst night of violence and destruction suffered by the city of Manchester "since the Blitz".
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