Manchester derby overshadowed by fan trouble as United and City fans clash with 11 supporters arrested

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that 11 arrests were made at Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium where United and City fans had to be separated by police

Manchester City and United fans clash as police attempt to separate them during Sunday's Manchester derby (Getty Images)

The Manchester derby may have been played in the correct spirit on the pitch, but it descended into chaos off it as rival United and City fans clashed in the stands of the Etihad Stadium, with supporters hit by coins and other missiles and police required to separate them.

United added to City’s recent misery by inflicting a 1-0 defeat on Manuel Pellegrini’s side, a result that all but ends City’s Premier League title challenge as they languish 15 points off leaders Leicester City.

Perhaps it was the frustration of seeing their season collapse in front of them that led to tensions boiling over in the stands, but the unsavoury scenes will have done little to help relations between the two clubs who are not enjoying a great year on the pitch.

Manchester City and United fans clash as police attempt to separate them during Sunday's Manchester derby (Getty Images)

Manchester City and United fans clash as police attempt to separate them during Sunday's Manchester derby (Getty Images)

Manchester City and United fans clash as police attempt to separate them during Sunday's Manchester derby (Getty Images)

Journalist Michael Crick was in the United end at the Etihad, and tweeted that a fellow supporter was hit on the head by a coin, leaving him with a cut to his face.

Pictures revealed that other fans informed police that objects had been thrown at them from a section of City supporters.

For United, the clashes come at the worst time given they face a Uefa investigation into crowd trouble at last week’s home leg of their loss to Liverpool, where safety procedures were alleged to have been compromised as stairways were blocked and rival fans clashed after the full-time whistle.

Goading rival supporters is nothing new at football matches, but seeing violent clashes in two consecutive games will be of concern for United, as well as the Premier League given the work that has been done over the last three decades to rid English football of its hooligan image.


 One man is arrested by police during the Manchester derby
 (Getty Images)


 Another fan appears to complain to police during the clashes
 (Getty Images)

Images appeared to show City fans being restrained as they attempted to reach their Manchester rivals, although two metal barriers and a line of police kept the supporters separated.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that 11 arrests were made at the match for offences including assaulting a police officer, being drunk and disorderly and fighting.