Operation FA Cup Final – part two: Police to assign Manchester City and United to different motorway petrol stations amid fears of violence after last year’s post-match clashes

• United and City will battle it out in a repeat of last year’s final, which City won 2-1
• The same security measures will be in place despite reports of clashes over the past year
• IAN LADYMAN: Arsenal will win the Premier League next season – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! podcasts

Rival fans will again be directed to Wembley on separate routes as part of a major security operation to prevent trouble at Saturday’s FA Cup final in Manchester.

United and City are taking around 36,000 fans each to the match and will be told to use different motorways between Manchester and London, with petrol stations designated in red and blue to try and avoid potential flashpoints.

Police want United fans to travel on the M6, M42 and M40 and City to use the M1. However, supporters are not required to follow the advice and there were reports of clashes at Newport Pagnell Services on the M1 and Oxford Services on the M40 after City beat United 2-1 in last year’s final.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the same measures will be in place on Saturday, having implemented them last year to avoid a repeat of the trouble when United met City in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final.

Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson then warned of “absolute chaos” before fans clashed on motorways and around the stadium, leading to 34 arrests.

Travel problems last year were compounded by a national rail strike which meant a total of 160 official fan coaches. By comparison, United have booked just 12 coaches this year.

The joint operation by the Metropolitan Police, GMP and British Transport Police is likely to involve more than a thousand officers on duty around Wembley. The kick-off was already anticipated at 15:00, on the advice of the police.

Authorities are determined to minimize any trouble, with Wembley set to host the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid a week later.

It will be the first major European show at the stadium since the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, when 86 arrests were made amid chaotic scenes.

Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gerry Parker, match commander for both finals this month, said: “We are working closely with Wembley, the FA and UEFA in the build-up to the FA Cup and Champions League finals to ensure the safety of all involved.

“We know that the vast majority of football fans at matches are law abiding and our officers will be there to deal with any supporters identified for committing offenses in and around the stadium.”