Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Utd and City fork out to avoid derby disaster
UNITED and City have handed police £10,000 each to prevent trouble in the aftermath of one of the most eagerly anticipated derbies in decades.
The bitter rivals will face off in what is sure to be a white-hot Old Trafford showdown on September 20.
And just three days later both teams are at home on the same night in the Carling Cup - which has prompted fears of a violent derby day hangover.
One police source has slammed the scheduling decision. And Chief Supt Phil Hollowood has admitted officers harbour "concerns" over the fixture clash.
The derby is being billed as the biggest since the 1970s with the Blues hoping to shift the balance of power away from Old Trafford after a summer of unprecedented spending.
And the furious row over the Carlos Tevez poster has added to emotions between both sets of fans ahead of what is expected to be an explosive encounter. Insults between supporters have been traded over internet message boards while the poster itself was daubed in red paint.
As if that was not enough for police to deal with, September 23 now sees both sides at home in the Carling Cup, which could lead to a potential collision course in the city centre.
City take on Fulham in the Carling Cup, while United host Wolves on the same night.
Both games will kick-off at 8pm, meaning fans heading to the match will mix on public transport. Many will also head into the city centre after the final whistle.
That could cause problems according to one source.
He said: "If it is a particularly fractious derby match then there may be trouble on the Wednesday. It would not come as a surprise."
Police concerns
Chief Supt Hollowood said: "There are obviously concerns around both matches being played on the same night. However, after constructive dialogue between the organisations involved it has been agreed that the matches will go ahead."
Speaking about the derby he promised that any trouble causers would be dealt with "swiftly and decisively".
"We will not hesitate to make arrests," he warned.
A Manchester council spokesman said: "While it is unusual for City and United to be playing at home on the same night, we have discussed this issue with Greater Manchester Police and the clubs and we are satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place."
Spokespersons from both clubs said they could not comment about security arrangements.
Clubs usually pay the police a different sum for each game. Matches are split into various categories depending on the risk thought to be involved.
United's clash with Wolves and City's tie with Fulham are both Category A - the lowest on the chart.
The additional payments will go towards paying for more officers to deal with the additional problems caused by both playing on the same night.
With the derby being held on Sunday, neither United or City wanted to move their cup games forward to the Tuesday.
