Rangers set for Manchester Takeover fanzone as thousands of fans without briefs set to descend on Old Trafford
Rangers fans travelling down south without tickets to next Thursday's Battle of Britain showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford will get the chance to watch the game in a nearby 'fanzone'.
The Daily Mail report that thousands of Gers supporters without briefs for the Europa League clash are set to attend the 'Rangers FanZone: Manchester Takeover' at Bowlers in nearby Trafford Park, where the match will be shown on a 'large super TV screen' and will include a special guest appearance from former Gers defender Marvin Andrews. The fanzone is set to open it's doors at 3pm on Thursday, January 23, some five hours before kick-off.
An online advert for the event claims that tickets for the fanzone are nearly sold out, with over 2,000 fans expected to be in attendance. The fanzone will also have live music provided by a DJ as well as from a 'loyalist singer'. Parking has also been laid on for travelling supporters, with over 300 spaces provided for buses and coaches. The event has been given a 'family friendly' tag, so those under the age of 18 are welcome to attend.
Rangers have been given an allocation of 3,768 tickets for the game at Old Trafford and had a request for extra briefs knocked back. Manchester is set to be a hot bed for football fans next week, with Chelsea facing United's rivals Manchester City on the following Sunday, and it is expected that some away supporters may head up from London three days early to take in the atmosphere for the Rangers clash.
Police are hoping that a controlled fanzone will help negate any repeat of the horrific scenes in Manchester back in 2008, when thousands of ticketless Gers fans travelled south for the UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg. Riots in the city led to 42 arrests and 11 men being thrown in jail in a night that was described as the worst Manchester had suffered since 'the Blitz' during World War Two.
Rangers and Man United will face off in a competitive setting for the first time since the 2010/11 season where they met in the group stages of the Champions League. The Light Blues claimed a credible goalless draw in Manchester on matchday one before suffering a 1-0 defeat at Ibrox in their penultimate group fixture courtesy of a late penalty from Wayne Rooney.
Philippe Clement's side are in a decent position to at least guarantee a play-off spot for the knockout phase of the Europa League. The Gers currently occupy eighth position in the league table with 11 points from their first six matches, with the sides who finish in the top eight places automatically progressing to the last 16.
