Chaos and fights erupted at Old Trafford last night after a large number of Rangers fans were able to get seats in the home end of the stadium.
The Rangers supporters clashed with their Manchester United rivals during Thursday night’s Europa League match, with fist fights breaking out in the home end of the stands.
Angry United fans have since blasted the club’s fans as a ‘joke’ after the Red Devils stormed to a 2-1 victory.
Footage emerged of away fans chanting for their team in the home sections of the concourse – with an investigation promised by Manchester United over how they came to be there.
In one clip shared on social media, a gang of fans could be seen pummelling a man in a black coat, before pursuing him down the stairs.
There were also clashes in the streets in the hours before kick-off, with police officers seen escorting a large throng of Rangers supporters to the game.
Red flares were set off on Great Ancoats Street with a number of fans reportedly throwing bottles, chanting and causing passers-by to flee.
Greater Manchester Police has now said they made a total of 39 arrests connected to last night’s fixture, which included 26 from the disorder on Great Ancoats Street.
Questions have been raised over how some Rangers fans were able to get tickets for the home end of Old Trafford for last night’s Europa League clash with Manchester United
Thousands of fans travelled from Scotland to Manchester for the match – and were given a police escort to Old Trafford
Manchester United says it is investigating how the tickets ended up in the hands of Rangers fans after fights broke out in the upper seating areas of the home support
A heavy police presence was reported in the area, with police and tactical aid unit (TAU) vans present.
More than 450 officers across GMP were deployed through the night to police the 70,000 fans who attended the match.
In a statement, the force said: ‘We made 26 arrests in the Ancoats area of the city after some disorder broke out just after 6pm.
‘Further arrests were made on suspicion of drug offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, tragedy chanting, and assault of a steward.’
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, match commander for the game, said: ‘These high-profile fixtures are always exciting occasions, but they also naturally present challenges to ensure that the thousands of spectators can enjoy the game safely and to minimise disruption for the wider public.
‘Last night, we did see some incidents before the game which required a prompt response from our officers to prevent any further disorder and harm. Arrests were made and further disorder was prevented.
‘An operation like this takes weeks, if not months, of planning with both clubs and all our local partners. Generally the crowds have been really well behaved and the vast majority have had a safe and enjoyable time watching the game in Manchester.’
Ahead of the game, United had put preventative measures in place to prevent away supporters from entering home sections.
But the club’s apparent failure to stop some Rangers fans from slipping through the cracks provoked strong criticism from their own supporters.
Police made a total of 39 arrests – many of which were were on Great Ancoats Street some distance from the stadium
Video footage of fans in the home end of the stadium was shared on social media – prompting questions on how Rangers supporters gained access
One said on X: ‘Rangers fans in the home end of the Old Trafford East Stand and there’s… riots kicking off in the stands. Absolute disgrace from Manchester United letting (them) in.’
‘So badly managed tonight,’ said another.
The club released a statement after the mayhem, pledging to investigate how so many away fans got their hands on home tickets.
A spokesperson said: ‘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 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.’