Manchester United have launched an investigation after Rangers supporters managed to obtain tickets in home sections during Thursday's Europa League clash at Old Trafford.
Despite allocating 3,500 official away tickets for the Scottish club's fans, a significant number of additional Rangers supporters appeared to secure seats in areas designated for their United counterparts.
The incident prompted complaints to both the club and police authorities.
United had implemented strict preventative measures ahead of the match to stop away fans accessing home sections.
Man United beat Rangers 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night
REUTERS
A club spokesperson said, per the Daily Mail: "In anticipation of the risks around tonight's game, we took the strictest possible measures to prevent sales to away fans in home areas."
Tickets were only available to those on United's database prior to August's draw, with the same restrictions applying to hospitality tickets and those forwarded by season ticket-holders and members.
Social media footage emerged showing groups wearing Rangers tops and chanting in home section concourses of the stadium.
Hundreds of Rangers fans in the home end at Old Trafford openly chanting “your city is Blue” before the game tonight…
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) January 23, 2025
😨😳 pic.twitter.com/MkttCLx9Qr
The club acknowledged that while digital ticketing has made unauthorised touting more difficult, 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," the United spokesperson confirmed.
On the pitch, Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic injury-time winner as United secured a 2-1 victory in the Battle of Britain tie.
The win moved United to fourth place in the Europa League standings, with a point against FCSB in Bucharest next week likely enough to secure automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Manager Ruben Amorim expressed relief following the result, saying: "It was a victory that we truly needed in this moment. We are not playing our best we are far from that but we improved from the last game."
United are next in action against Fulham on Sunday (7pm).
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The Red Devils will be hoping to bounce back in the Premier League, having lost 3-1 to Brighton last time out.
Meanwhile, it looks increasingly as though Marcus Rashford could stay at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have launched an investigation after Rangers supporters managed to obtain tickets in home sections during Thursday's Europa League clash at Old Trafford
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The forward recently expressed a desire for a 'new challenge', having been frozen out by Ruben Amorim.
However, United are struggling to get the 27-year-old off their books and a summer departure looks far likelier as a result.
