A huge security operation is planned for the first all-Manchester FA Cup final to keep rival fans apart on the journey to Wembley and prevent a repeat of violent scenes 12 years ago.
National rail strikes mean the majority of the 90,000 sell-out crowd will travel by road in 10 days’ time, with a convoy of 160 official coaches ferrying Manchester United and Manchester City fans to North London.
The two clubs have worked closely with the FA and safety groups to draw up detailed plans ensuring supporters leave from different points in Manchester and use designated red and blue service stations on the way to Wembley.
To minimise the risk of trouble, bus drivers will be told to make scheduled stops at specific services so fans cannot mix.
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Supporters travelling by car will also be sent a match-pack advising them of the services assigned to their club, as well as directions to the respective fanzones at Wembley.
A huge security operation is planned for the first all-Manchester FA Cup final next month
Manchester City and Manchester United will go head-to-head in the FA Cup final on June 3
They have drawn up detailed plans ensuring supporters leave from different points in Manchester and use designated red and blue service stations on the way to Wembley
The kick-off time has already been brought forward to 3pm after the Metropolitan Police raised concerns over staging the high-risk fixture in the evening, as revealed by Mail Sport.
Trouble flared when United met City in the FA Cup semi-final in 2011 after Sir Alex Ferguson warned of ‘absolute chaos’ on the roads.
Supporters clashed at motorway services en route to North London, and 34 arrests were made following violent scenes around the stadium.
The disturbances were largely blamed on a failure to segregate the two sets of fans and, in particular, to designate separate coach parks.
This year, every effort is being made to keep supporters apart from the moment they leave Manchester early on the morning of June 3, with the two clubs expected to bring about 36,000 fans each.
United and City have both put on 20 subsidised coaches from Manchester – costing £50 for adults and £40 for Under-16s – which are restricted to fans with match tickets. Many more buses organised by regional supporters’ clubs will head to Wembley from around the country.
The FA have arranged an additional 120 coaches from Manchester priced at £60 for adults and £55 for Under-15s.
United fans have been told to meet at the AJ Bell Stadium while City supporters will leave from three different locations – the Metrolink park and ride in East Didsbury and Radcliffe, as well as Aytoun Street – because the Etihad is hosting a Coldplay concert.
They are trying to prevent a repeat of violent scenes 12 years ago after their FA Cup clash
Manchester City faced Manchester United in the semi-final of the FA Cup in 2011 (above)
There will be a heavy police presence around Wembley.
Though a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said plans are still being finalised for the showpiece game.
A statement read: ‘Discussions are taking place between the Met, the FA, the local authority, British Transport Police and other partners to ensure the safety and security of those attending the final at Wembley on Saturday, 3 June.’
The safety, logistics and transport teams from United and City have been involved in talks with the FA, police and fan clubs since it became clear that industrial action by the RMT and Aslef meant there would be no train services on the day of the final.
Tom Legg, head of external operations at the FA, said: ‘With limited services across the weekend, we would encourage supporters coming to the game to book their coach space early and use the options that The FA has put in place to support them.’