'Most embarrassing thing ever' - Man Utd fans brand club 'ticket touts' after Rangers supporters spotted in vast numbers in home end for Europa League tie as Red Devils issue statement

Manchester United were able to grab a stoppage-time win over Rangers at Old Trafford on Thursday, thanks to Bruno Fernandes, after the Scottish side looked to have snatched a draw with an equalizer in the 88th minute. Despite the chaotic win, Red Devils fans were not happy as Rangers supporters were spotted in the home end in vast numbers after managing to get their hands on tickets.

Manchester United fan @Alex04UTD said: "Three Rangers fans sat right infront of me, celebrating when they scored. Shocking that Manchester United let this happen."

X user @danny_mcginley said: "It was the most embarrassing thing ever tonight. I completely missed our winner because there was 2/3 fights happening around me. Really tragic stuff."

@SmnLlyd added: "Seriously though, how, after the Galatasaray fiasco last season, did so many Rangers fans get in the United end?"

Manchester United fan @RedArmyPaul99 said: "How the f**k have this group of Rangers fans got at least 50 tickets together in the United section. Shame on you, Manchester United. You’re nothing more than f*cking ticket touts."

@joeyjoe999 added: "When the Rangers goal went in the stewards threw out home fans in the home sections to leave Rangers fans in the ground. Manchester United is a disgrace. Throwing out home fans, the club is a joke."

Manchester United have since released a public statement regarding the Rangers fans being able to get tickets in the home stands at Old Trafford for the game, an issue that was also faced by the Red Devils last season during their Champions League clash against Galatasaray.

The statement read: "In anticipation of the risks around tonight’s game, we took the strictest possible measures to prevent sales to away fans in home areas. Tickets were only allocated to people who existed on our database prior to the draw taking place in August. Hospitality tickets had the same restrictions applied. Tickets forwarded by season ticket-holders and members also had the same restrictions applied (i.e. they could only be forwarded to fans on our database prior to the draw).

"Whilst the unauthorised touting of tickets has become more difficult since our introduction of in-app digital ticketing, it cannot be completely eliminated. All examples of away fans in home areas will be investigated over the coming days, with the strongest possible sanctions taken against the registered holders."

Luckily for Manchester United, the presence of extra Rangers fans at Old Trafford did not result in a loss of points as the win has now, all but confirmed, their presence in the Europa League round of 16 with them needing just a draw in the final league matchday against Steaua Bucuresti next week to confirm a top-eight finish.