Spanish police reveal 'special operation' for Man Utd's Europa League clash at Athletic Club in effort to avoid repeat of 'riots' and arrests after Rangers game

According to El Correo, local police are putting together a 'special operation' for Thursday's Europa League semi-final in Bilbao, with extra attention set to be focused on controlling the access area to Estadio de San Mames from Carrera Licenciado Poza Street. The 'strengthened' security will modify their usual operation to prevent any hostilities between rival fans.

This comes off the back of clashes between Athletic Club and Rangers fans earlier this month, where six supporters were arrested and 13 injured. The report added that the most serious 'riots' took place after Rangers' quarter-final exit, and it was largely fans who didn't have tickets for the contest who were blamed for this. That is why they are intensifying their efforts to avoid a repeat of that.

The paper adds that British police have reported that 2,800 United fans will head to the game, but only 2,600 of them have tickets. Of the 200 without tickets, 50 have been branded as 'risk fans'.

After United's clash against the La Liga outfit, they will host the Basque side at Old Trafford for the return leg on May 8.