Rival Man Utd and Leeds brawl in ugly scenes in Manchester city centre
Football is back… and so is the fighting: Rival Man Utd and Leeds brawl in ugly scenes in Manchester as Premier League returns with crowds in stadiums
Footage shows men throwing chairs and using bins as weapons in ManchesterHuge brawl erupted ahead of Manchester United v Leeds clash at Old TraffordGreater Manchester Police have 200 officers on duty in bid to keep the peace
This is the shocking moment a huge brawl broke out in Manchester city centre ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday.
In chaotic scenes filmed from inside a cafe, groups of men can be seen running around a corner while throwing chairs and throwing punches.
The 21-second clip, uploaded to Twitter, shows one man brandishing a bin as a weapon as he repeatedly smashes it against another fan who has fallen to the ground.
A police officer can then be seen among the crowds as the men disperse in different directions.
Chaotic scenes filmed in Manchester city centre show a bin being brandished as a weapon during a massive street brawl
The footage of the brawl was recorded from inside a cafe in Manchester on Saturday
A group of men exchange blows during brawl ahead of Man Utd and Leeds clash Saturday
A man can be seen in footage online hitting a football fan repeatedly with a bin
The groups of men eventually disperse as a police officers arrives to the scene
A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: ‘Patrols in city centre made aware of some isolated incidents of disorder at premises in the area.
‘We’re working closely with those premises to support licensees at early signs of any disorder and negate it as swiftly as possible. No arrests have been made.’
Another video shared online shows the moment a police van arrives to a brawl which has spilled out of the Piccadilly Tavern.
Men can be seen running to the entrance of the pub, appearing to join the fight, while the police vehicle pulls up with its sirens blaring.
Police warned on Twitter: ‘There have been isolated incidents of disorder in the city ahead of this afternoon’s game at Old Trafford and we have worked closely with licensed premises to ensure we could act swiftly to negate any incidents of concern and move people on safely.
‘No arrests were made but work has begun with football intelligence officers from both clubs to identify any suspected offenders and hold them to account for their actions.
A police van arrives to the scene at Piccadilly Tavern in central Manchester
Video shared online appears to show a fight spilling out of the pub ahead of Man Utd v Leeds clash at Old Trafford Saturday
Some 200 police officers are on patrol in Manchester today (Pictured: Arriving to scene of brawl at Piccadilly Tavern)
Manchester United fans during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford
Manchester United fans react during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford
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Manchester United fans react during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford
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Wolverhampton Wanderers fans show their support during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium
Chelsea fans watch on as their side take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge
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A Crystal Palace fan gestures towards the Chelsea fans during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea fans applaud the players at the end of the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge
Fans show their support prior to the Premier League match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road
Chelsea fans return to Stamford Bridge in numbers following a year and a half of lockdown restrictions
Fans of Leicester City celebrate after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium
Norwich City fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Carrow Road
Chelsea fans return to Stamford Bridge in numbers following a year and a half of lockdown restrictions
Fans of Leicester City celebrate after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium
‘It’s worth a reminder that successful prosecution can lead to a two-year football banning order.’
Officers will remain in the city for the rest of Saturday to keep disruption to a minimum, the force added.
Today is the first time in 17 months that the Theatre of Dreams will be at full capacity, hosting some 75,000 fans.
But scenes of brawls have put a dampener on the otherwise celebratory return of the Premier League.
It comes after police on Friday pleaded with fans to behave responsibly, announcing that 200 officers would be on duty across Manchester.
Chief superintendent Stuart Ellison, Greater Manchester Police’s gold commander for public order operations, said: ‘It feels like a long time since we last had capacity crowds, but we have worked on hundreds of events in the past and our priority this weekend remains the same.
‘The Premier League starts with Manchester hosting the biggest game of the weekend, 70,000 fans returning to Old Trafford to see Manchester United hosting Leeds United.
‘That’s just one of four matches on our patch on Saturday afternoon.
‘Our officers are working extended hours this weekend to help keep the public safe. All that we ask is that you behave responsibly so everyone can enjoy themselves.’
