Man Utd and Rangers fans 'fight in streets and throw bottles' as cops confronted

Manchester United and Rangers fans clashed in the streets ahead of their Europa League clash on Thursday evening.

Football fans made their way to Old Trafford from Manchester city centre down Great Ancoats Street. And videos posted on social media appeared to show fans clashing as bottles were thrown between the two sets of fans.

Police attended an incident on Great Ancoats Street

Greater Manchester Police confirmed to the Manchester Evening News they were called to 'low level disorder' on Great Ancoats Street. GMP had police vans and TAU vans that were seen blocking the road.

GMP said the presence was called to the area to 'keep the peace'.

An eye-witness told Manchester Evening News: "I heard shouting outside and there were fans with balaclavas walking in front of traffic yelling at the police officers.

Man United and Rangers fans clashing in Manchester... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👊 pic.twitter.com/wZJBPPAVuu

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) January 23, 2025

"They were throwing glass bottle at them and oncoming traffic. They are still at the top of Great Ancoats Street now."

Another eye-witness said: "They are wearing balaclavas and black hoods. Throwing bottles and shouting ‘who are ya’ at police. Passersby are fleeing. Traffic is at a standstill."

Thousands of Rangers fan had travelled down from Glasgow for the Europa League clash - despite urgent 'do not travel' warnings.

Rangers fans had been urged not to not travel due to Storm.

Andrew McClements, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TPE, said: "Our top priority is the safety of our customers and colleagues.

"We will do everything possible to keep people moving under difficult conditions, however due to the weather warnings in place for this Friday, we are having to issue advice not to travel on two of our routes.

“We urge anyone travelling on the affected routes to reconsider their plans and to follow the guidance provided."