United fans stabbed in rome

Three Manchester United fans were reported to have been stabbed in Rome tonight ahead of this evening’s Champions League tie at the Stadio Olimpico.

Although Manchester-based police have confirmed violence that has occurred is not anywhere close to the levels which scarred the last meeting between the two teams in April, it is still a worrying development.

The extent of the injuries sustained in the trouble has not been verified and it has not been established whether they have required hospital treatment. However, it is not thought any of the supporters are seriously hurt.

Alex Ferguson last night expressed hope that the game would pass off peacefully and certainly the Italian police, who were condemned for their heavy handed tactics earlier this year, were leaving little to chance.

The 1200 United fans who made the trip to Italy were largely shepherded into the stadium two hours before kick-off, while segregation, made easier by a less than capacity crowd left no opportunity for supporters to be pelted by missiles, as was the case on their last visit.