Police will launch one of the biggest security operations ever seen for a Manchester United match at Old Trafford when Feyenoord and their notorious hooligan element visit on Thursday night.
Sportsmail understands Greater Manchester Police will deploy hundreds of officers amid fears 4,000 ticketless fans from the Dutch club will head for the city ahead of the Europa League clash.
The operation will be bigger than those which take place for matches such as the Manchester derby and United's clashes with Liverpool.
Officers from GMP are dealing with a complex situation which has not been helped after it emerged up to 4,500 Feyenoord supporters had managed to buy tickets in home sections of the ground on the United website.