Police have been drafted in after thousands of Rangers fans arrived in Manchester city centre ahead of their Europa League game against United this evening (January 23).
Red flares have been let off with crowds seen running along Great Ancoats Streets, with a number of fans throwing bottles, chanting and causing passers-by to flee.
Videos shared with the M.E.N show fans, many dressed in black and with face coverings, shouting “Who are ya” to the police officers. Dozens of police vehicles and TAU vans have been seen arriving in the area on blue lights.
Hundreds of the Glasgow fans were also pictured and filmed at Market Street tram stop and in Piccadilly Gardens ahead of the match earlier tonight.
Other crowds were escorted by police through the city centre towards Old Trafford ahead of the huge Europa League clash, which kicked off at 8pm. At the match, which saw United win 2-1, a number of fans were also removed from the Home end.
22:44Tom Burnett
That is the end of our live reporting this evening. We will bring you further updates if required.
22:44Tom Burnett
Man United played Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night and away fans bought tickets in the home section.
20:14KEY EVENT
Around 25 police officers have been called to the home end at Old Trafford this evening.
They have been drafted in to move a chanting group of Rangers fans away and escort them back towards the away stand.
Police go into home end of Old Trafford ground to move Rangers fans away towards away end@MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/6NYkH0lP7L
— James Holt – M.E.N (@jameshjourno) January 23, 2025
19:54James Holt
Fans now in stadium
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
19:53James Holt
Fans of both Manchester United and Rangers have arrived at Old Trafford for the 8pm kick off tonight.
Bringing the noise pic.twitter.com/dMti7EfoH0
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 23, 2025
19:50James Holt
It is understood a number of arrests have been made in connection with the disorder on Great Ancoats Street tonight.
We are waiting on the number of suspects arrested to be confirmed by GMP.
Another witness said: “Police made a few arrests, I counted 6-7. The last one was being put in a TAU van.
“Some of the Rangers fans were dressed in all-black and walking down Tib Street.”
19:32James Holt
Rangers fans could face travel chaos and find themselves stuck in Manchester amid a number of urgent ‘do not travel’ warnings.
Thousands have travelled from Scotland to the city for the huge Europa League clash, which kicks off at 8pm on Thursday (January 23) at Old Trafford. Many are expected to walk from the city centre in joyous scenes to the stadium ahead of the game.
But urgent travel warnings have threatened to thwart Ranger’s fans travelling home on Friday (January 24), especially for those travelling by train.
There’s a regular direct service between Manchester from Glasgow Central, but amber and red alerts for wind amid Storm Éowyn are expected to cause travel chaos.
19:14James Holt
TAU officers were drafted in to ‘keep the peace’ amid reports of a small disorder tonight.
19:09James Holt
Pictures earlier this evening showed fans being escorted by police through Exchange Square.
A number of Rangers supporters walked from the city centre to Old Trafford ahead of the 8pm kick off.
(Image: PA)
(Image: PA)
19:02James Holt
Video footage of chanting Rangers fans walking down Cross Street has been shared on social media tonight
Rangers fans in Manchester tonight #rangersfc #mufc
— Football Away Days (@footyawayday) January 23, 2025
18:59KEY EVENT
A witness living nearby has said glass bottles were hurled at police and oncoming traffic this evening.
“I heard shouting outside and there were fans with balaclavas walking in front of traffic yelling at the police officers,” he said.
“They were throwing glass bottle at them and oncoming traffic. They are still at the top of Great Ancoats Street now.”
18:57James Holt
Pictures showed gridlocked traffic on Great Ancoats Street this evening, with the road currently blocked by police.
Groups of fans are being moved along by Tactical Aid officers amid reports of disorder in the area.
(Image: Nick Butterworth)
18:51James Holt
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they were called to ‘low level disorder’ on Great Ancoats Street earlier tonight.
Numerous police vans and TAU vans have been seen blocking the road with dozens of officers on scene.
GMP said the presence was called to the area to ‘keep the peace’.
18:47KEY EVENT
Video footage shared with the M.E.N tonight shows groups of fans, many dressed in black, chanting and shouting on Great Ancoats Street.
Passers-by can be seen running away with multiple police vehicles arriving at the scene.
We have approached GMP for a comment.
18:37KEY EVENT
A witness has described the scenes as scores of police arrived at the scene in Ancoats this evening.
Video footage shared with the MEN appears to show groups shouting at police and throwing bottles along Great Ancoats Street.
At least ten police vans and TAU officer vans are at the scene controlling the crowds.
“They are wearing balaclavas and black hoods,” one witness said. “Throwing bottles and shouting ‘who are ya’ at police
“Passersby are fleeing. Traffic is at a standstill.”
