Manchester United fans attacked by Fenerbahce ultras in Istanbul before Europa League match
Manchester United fans have claimed they were attacked by as many as 50 Fenerbahce hooligans ahead of their Europa League clash in Istanbul on Thursday night, with one alleging they were hit with a crowbar
Manchester United fans were attacking by a group of Fenerbahce ultras on Wednesday night ahead of their Europa League clash in Istanbul after footage showed hooligans targeting travelling supporters.
The Red Devils are set to take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side in Turkey on Thursday night but fans have claimed they were attacked by as many as 50 ultras. A clip shared by ultra accounts on Twitter used a caption reading "This is Istanbul", while another picture posted on Instagram showed a group of men standing in front of two motorbikes, with the words: "On the first punch of a fight... Manchester is now truly RED :)."
One fan recounted the shocking incident as he claimed United supporters were "swarmed" by a huge horde of hooligans before one followed him and hit him in the face.
Speaking to Manchester United fan site StrettyNews, he said: "About 50 of them swarmed us (a group of five). One lad followed me down a street and pretended to help before hitting me a shot into the jaw." Another told the Daily Mail they were assaulted with a crowbar.
The GFB Bogaz ultras group appears to be responsible for the attack on United fans, which took place outside the Grand Hisar Hotel - close to the Taksim Square - the tragic scene where two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death by Galatasaray fans before their UEFA Cup semi-final match in 2000.
A man caught up in the attack is left on the floor ( Image: Twitter)
Turkish football is no stranger to violence among fans after Fenerbahce players were attacked by Trabzonspor supporters, who stormed onto the pitch during a match last year - with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Michy Batshuayi forced to defend themselves.
Other shocking incidents have seen Ankaragucu owner Farak Koca run onto the pitch and punch a referee after taking issue with a decision during a match against Caykur Rizespor last year.
United players will be bracing for a hostile atmosphere from the home fans, with manager Erik ten Hag already under pressure at Old Trafford.
However, ex-Red Devils boss Mourinho has defended the Dutchman despite the club suffering their worst start to a season - while also taking a swipe at his old employers.
"What happened for sure, because it’s very objective, is they keep faith in the coach, they support the coach," he said.
"The coach is staying season after season and that means stability, it means trust and they are giving him conditions to keep developing his job. That was different in relation to me."
World Affairs Correspondent
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