Rangers fans have once again been caught in trouble when travelling abroad, this time in two forms: one while travelling to Manchester and the other when travelling to Liverpool.
Manchester United club officials have addressed the issue of Rangers fans in the home section, along with the violence and glass bottles thrown outside the stadium. The club states they implemented strict measures to stop away fans from purchasing tickets in home areas; however, Rangers fans managed to occupy portions of the home section, as observed throughout Old Trafford.
Why this large group of Rangers fans in the home end haven't been thrown out is beyond me! 😡#mufc pic.twitter.com/wzJSvwrP5s
— StrettyEnd (@_StrettyEnd) January 23, 2025
Old Trafford full of Rangers fans
Investigators are exploring how fans obtained these tickets, which violated protocol. Rangers fans were spotted celebrating and singing in the home sections, which caused chaos. Some people were shoved and entangled in fights, leading to several ejections. Manchester United supporters have voiced their discontent regarding the security measures that failed to avert such problems, both in the stands and on the streets.
In a full statement, Manchester United had this to say, ‘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 allocated to people who existed on our database prior to the draw taking place in August. Hospitality tickets had the same restrictions applied.'
Despite this, Rangers fans did manage to get into the home end. The statement continued, ‘Tickets forwarded by season ticket-holders and members had the same restrictions applied (i.e. they could only be forwarded to fans on our database prior to the draw). Whilst the unauthorised touting of tickets has become more difficult since our introduction of in-app digital ticketing, 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.'
Can't even get to
My seat it's massively unsafe this absolute joke. You best refund all the fans here tongiht it's a disgrace @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/sq9r1AsxUn— David Nevitt (@David_Nevitt) January 23, 2025
Manchester United policy failings
The statement was echoed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust, ‘Some [Rangers fans] were occupying seats of home fans, refusing to move and even threatening them when they tried to take their own seats. In the worst cases, there were incidents of fighting as a result of these away fans being in home sections, with no Police/security response. ‘Certainly, no United fan should face any sanction as a result of away fans being in home sections and not being dealt with by police or security.'
While it's easy to blame Rangers fans for this, Manchester United have done a terrible job of protecting their own fans and the safety of people going to the match.
The statement from the Trust went on to be critical of the club, stating that ‘What is particularly frustrating for our supporters is we’ve had incidents in recent weeks of security snatch teams entering the stadium to eject our own fans for minor incidents such as vaping.
“Similarly, warning our fans about standing persistently in seats in areas such as the Stretford End, where fans have traditionally stood without incident for 25 years. And yet there is no security response to away fans who are illegitimately in home sections presenting a direct security threat and even involved in fighting'
FGG says: Rangers fans are not the only ones to blame
It's not the first time Rangers fans have caused issues when they've been on their travels, but this is one of the most stark displays of fan trouble. At the same time, some fault should be put on the table of Manchester United for not securing the safety of their own fans.
Police lines are drawn up at stadiums for a reason, and having an enclave of away fans in the home end isn't going to make anyone's life any easier. While we can't attach every X clip here, there are plenty showing Manchester United fans, some with children, unable to get to their allotted seats due to away fans in the section.
The Supports Trust statement makes a number of good points, and Rangers fans being violent isn't acceptable, but the club has to do more to enforce its own policy in the first place.
While Rangers fans are to blame for any violence, most of this could have been avoided if Manchester United had stricter checks in place. A cynical person might suggest that Manchester United don't care who buys tickets, as long as someone does, they earn the money regardless.