Six fans in Police net over Man U/Leeds violent clash

Six fans were arrested following clashes between Manchester United and Leeds supporters before Saturday’s game at Old Trafford.

Greater Manchester Police staged a major security operation for the high-risk fixture and had to break up ‘isolated incidents of disorder’ around the city centre.

During the game, some of the 3,000 Leeds supporters briefly aimed sick taunts about the Munich Air Disaster at their rivals.

There were allegations that this was in response to a Turkish flag being thrown into the away end. Two Leeds fans were killed in Istanbul in 2000 before a UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray.

The away fans also aimed foul-mouthed abuse at former United and Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport, as they waited to be allowed out of the stadium.

Tempers boiled over as fans made their way to Old Trafford before the game, with violent clashes between supporters outside cafes and restaurants.

A video posted on Twitter showed fans using bins and chairs as weapons as one lone police officer frantically tried to separate those involved using a baton.

Another video shared online showed the moment a police van arrived to a brawl which had spilled out of the Piccadilly Tavern.

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Men could be seen running to the entrance of the pub, appearing to join the skirmage, while the police vehicle pulls up with its sirens blaring. It was the first time in 17 months that Old Trafford hosted a capacity crowd and the first meeting between the two teams with fans since 2004.