After the significant amount animosity between Liverpool and Man United fans last week, it was unlikely that the second leg of the Europa League tie would pass off without a bit of controversy. An early indication of that was the 'Murderers' banner that greeted Liverpool fans heading to Manchester on the M602 (imagine having so many motorways that they go all the way up to 602. Madness).
So, it was rather likely that once things became fairly obvious that United were going to do next to nothing about getting back into the tie, Liverpool fans were going to enjoy themselves. Cue a couple of absolute idiots/hilarious craic merchants (delete as applicable) sneaking into the home section of the East Stand to unveil a Liverpool flag and let all around them know just how much fun they were having on their trip to Manchester.
Unfurling a #LFC flag didn't go down well in the United end... pic.twitter.com/DfRDv8ywh2
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) March 17, 2016
Unsurprisingly, the surrounding Old Trafford faithful didn't take that particularly well.
Those lads in the manu tier, wow, some cojones on them. 👏🏼 #LFC #EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/rtrBQUyhbc
— Propaganda (@propagandaphoto) March 18, 2016
Fighting ensued, and although stewards tried to intervene, tempers flared for five minutes before police could intervene and break up the incident. A lot of credit does have to go to this particular Man United fan for managing to take a fist square between the eyes without even flinching.
'It was a good St Patrick's Day, yeah' pic.twitter.com/EPnWorH0zd
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 18, 2016
According to Greater Manchester Police, there were five arrests in total on the night, one being a Man United fan and the remaining four being Liverpool fans.
The United fan was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He remains in police custody for questioning. He was arrested outside the ground.
Of the four Liverpool fans, two men were arrested for public order offence of affray outside the ground and they are still in police custody. One man was arrested for criminal damages for smashing the windows of a minibus and is still in police custody. The fourth man was arrested for letting off a flare inside the ground. He was cautioned and released.
Police have also confirmed that they are investigating the 'Murderers' banner that greeted Liverpool fans on the way to the game but no arrests have been made in relation to that.
