- Rangers fans rioted in Manchester when they reached the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
- Fans without tickets will now be able to attend a 'Fanzone' for next week's match
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! Is Everton where they deserve to be or are the club's fans deceived?
A gigantic exhibition centre, just two miles from Old Trafford, will host a 'Take on the Rangers' when the Glasgow side take on Manchester United next Thursday.
Bowlers, at nearby Trafford Park, will entertain thousands of fans traveling without tickets to the Europa League match in a move that may well attract attention.
In 2008, Rangers fans without tickets rioted in Manchester when their team reached the UEFA Cup final, in scenes described as a “disgrace” by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Much of the trouble, which led to the imprisonment of 11 men, centered on an area of the city where a large screen had been installed to show the match to those unable to access the Etihad Stadium, when a figure estimated at more of 100,000 people arrived. way south.
A judge later described what unfolded as “the worst night of violence and destruction suffered in Manchester city center since the Blitz”, with 42 arrests.
The event, which will show the match on a “big screen Super TV” has been called “Rangers FanZone: Manchester Takeover”. It is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., about five hours before kickoff.
Thousands of Rangers fans without tickets will attend a 'Fanzone' near Old Trafford for next week's game against Man United.
There were riots in Manchester when Rangers fans visited the city for the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
The riots led to 42 arrests and 11 men jailed on a night described as “the worst since the Blitz”.
An online advert claims more than 2,000 Rangers fans will attend and there are only 97 tickets left. He adds that the event includes a live DJ and a “faithful singer.”
A parking lot has been set up with more than 300 spaces available for buses. Under-18s are also welcome as the event is considered “family friendly” and former defender Marvin Andrews will be a special guest.
As Man United Confidential from Mail Sport Rangers were reportedly allocated 3,768 tickets for the Europa League tie and a request for more was refused.
Given the attractive nature of the tie, the level of support from Rangers and the accessibility of Manchester to the Scottish city, many more are expected to travel.
To add to what could well be a complex police operation, Chelsea are due to visit Manchester to play City on Saturday. Sections of each club's fan base are connected and it is understood some may head to Manchester early from London to enjoy the atmosphere.
Trafford Council, the licensing authority, declined to comment other than to say it has been working closely with Greater Manchester Police. GMP and Bowlers have been contacted for comment.
The following week, Rangers' rivals Celtic head to Birmingham to face Aston Villa in the Champions League. A separate event is being organized in the Second City that will show the match to fans who traveled without tickets.
Called 'The Fanzone', it will run from 2pm to 2am and feature various Celtic bands at Luna Springs, Digbeth Arena. Celtic have been allocated just 2,100 tickets for the tie.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council have been contacted for comment.
