Manchester United have launched an investigation after some Rangers fans managed to claim tickets for the home sections at Old Trafford. The two teams met in a thrilling Battle of Britain in the Europa League, with Bruno Fernandes’ late winner sealing a 2-1 win for the Premier League side.

United say the “strongest possible sanctions” will apply to any season ticket holders or members found to have sold their tickets to Rangers supporters. Old Trafford bosses desperately attempted to prevent ticket touting ahead of the highly-anticipated European clash.

Videos of Rangers fans singing in home concourses went viral online before the match. Police were also seen dragging Rangers fans out of the home end and into the designated section for away supporters.

A United spokesperson said: "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."

It is prohibited for away fans to buy tickets in the home sections but that has not stopped visiting supporters from obtaining entry to sit among United followers. In October 2023, around 2,000 Galatasaray fans managed to obtain tickets for the home section at Old Trafford for a Champions League group stage fixture.

United's chief operating officer was forced to make an apology.

Ruben Amorim's side left it late to overcome Rangers and put one foot in the next round without having to go through an extra round of qualifying. Fernandes thumped home in the 92nd minute after Cyriel Dessers appeared to have handed Rangers a shock point four minutes earlier with a superb swivel and half-volley.

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, a former United loanee, had inadvertently punched the ball into his own net seven minutes into the second half.

United are fourth in the League Phase, with the top eight teams earning automatic qualification to the knockout rounds. They travel to Steaua Bucharest in their final game.