Manchester United are already making plans to stop Rangers fans entering home sections of Old Trafford – despite the Battle of Britain fixture not taking place for another three months.
Mail Sport has learned that officials have decided not to sell tickets for the eagerly-anticipated January 23 clash to anyone who was not registered as a member with the club before the Europa League draw which pitted the two together was made.
They have been sparked into action following embarrassment at last season’s fixture with Galatasaray, when around 2,000 supporters of the Turkish side managed to land tickets in United areas of the ground.
That night, the visitors secured their first win on English spoil and numerous pockets of their fans could be seen celebrating across the stadium in a development that angered many United supporters, with some claiming they felt ‘unsafe’.
United issued an apology, but appear determined not to be caught out again, with thousands of Rangers fans keen to head south early in the new year.
Manchester United are already making plans to stop Rangers fans entering home sections of Old Trafford - three months before the 'Battle of Britain' clash takes place in January
While conversations will take place with police, the club have moved to make sure that only those who were on their database ahead of the draw will be permitted to buy tickets for what has been deemed a ‘high-risk’ game.
Meanwhile, United will hold a number of ‘town hall’ sessions with fans as part of their consultation over a new stadium.
Supporters will be invited to Old Trafford to share their views as the club consider redeveloping their famous home or building a new, state-of-the-art ‘Wembley of the North’.
Findings will be shared with the task force set up to oversee the project, who will then feedback to United’s owners.