Operation FA Cup Final Part 2: Police to assign Manchester City and United to separate service stations amid fears of violence after clashes following last year’s match

Rival fans will again be guided to Wembley via separate routes as part of a major security operation aimed at avoiding problems at Manchester’s FA Cup final on Saturday.

United and City will each take around 36,000 fans to the match and will be asked to use different motorways between Manchester and London, with service stations designated as red and blue to try to avoid potential hotspots.

Police want United fans to use the M6, M42 and M40, and City to use the M1. However, supporters are not required to follow the advice and clashes took place at Newport Pagnell Services on the M1 and Oxford Services on the M40 after City beat United 2-1 in last year’s final .

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the same measures would be in place on Saturday, having applied them last year to avoid a repeat of problems when United met City in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final.

Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson warned of “absolute chaos” before supporters clashed on motorways and around the stadium, leading to 34 arrests.

Manchester City and Manchester United fans will have to take different highways

Greater Manchester Police are keen to avoid a repeat of United’s 2011 FA Cup semi-final encounter with City, when Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured) warned of “absolute chaos”.

Last year’s travel problems were exacerbated by a nationwide railway strike which resulted in a total of 160 official coaches being made available for supporters. For comparison, United have only booked 12 coaches this year.

The joint operation by the Metropolitan Police, GMP and British Transport Police is likely to involve more than a thousand officers on duty around Wembley. Kick-off has already been brought forward to 3 p.m. on advice from the police.

Authorities are determined to minimize trouble, with Wembley set to host the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid a week later.

It will be the first major European protest at the stadium since the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, during which 86 arrests took place amid chaotic scenes.

Police want United fans to use the M6, M42 and M40, with City set to use the M1

This match will be a repeat of last year’s final, which City won 2-1 to claim the treble.

Wembley will host the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund a week later.

Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gerry Parker, commander of this month’s two finals, said: “We are working closely with Wembley, the FA and UEFA to prepare for the FA Cup and League finals. champions to ensure the safety of all who participate.

“We know that the overwhelming majority of football supporters at matches are law abiding and our officers will be there to deal with any fans identified as having committed offenses in and around the stadium.”