Feyenoord fans light up Manchester with flares and fireworks ahead of Champions League clash with City as thousands gather under police supervision
- Manchester City play Dutch side Feyenoord on Tuesday night at the Etihad in Champions League Group F
- The game isn't due to kick off until 7.45pm but Shambles Square in Manchester was very busy around 2pm
- Feyenoord fans gathered in the area which is a hot spot for visiting supporters before European ties
- Some fans lit flares as they loaded up on beer, while local police were on hand to monitor the situation
- An estimated 4,500 Feyenoord fans have travelled to Manchester despite the away allocation being 3,000
- Feyenoord have a reputation for hooliganism and a woman was hit by a glass on their last visit to Manchester
The Shambles Square area of Manchester was rammed full of Feyenoord fans hours before Tuesday night's Champions League game at the Etihad Stadium.
Feyenoord have already been eliminated from the Champions League after losing all four of their previous group games but their supporters travelled in large numbers — around 4,500, despite an away allocation of just 3,000 — to see their side take on Manchester City.
Some fans were seen lighting up a rainy day in the north of England by setting off flares and fireworks as they loaded up on beer.
![Feyenoord fans filled Shambles Square on Tuesday afternoon as they prepared to watch their side play Manchester City](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929C1300000578-5104183-image-a-9_1511281922975.jpg)
Feyenoord fans filled Shambles Square on Tuesday afternoon as they prepared to watch their side play Manchester City
![Flares and fireworks were set off by some, creating a thick red mist which fans filmed on their mobile phones](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929C2700000578-5104183-image-a-10_1511281953530.jpg)
Flares and fireworks were set off by some, creating a thick red mist which fans filmed on their mobile phones
![As well as red flares, green smoke was seen among the hoards of boozing football supporters](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/4692D1DC00000578-5104183-image-a-13_1511282185410.jpg)
As well as red flares, green smoke was seen among the hoards of boozing football supporters
![One fan was seen making an offensive gesture after he and his friends noticed that they were being photographed](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929DC100000578-5104183-image-a-18_1511282513954.jpg)
One fan was seen making an offensive gesture after he and his friends noticed that they were being photographed
![Noisy Feyenoord supporters chanted as they congregated in Manchester city centre on Tuesday afternoon](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929CD800000578-5104183-image-a-20_1511282591135.jpg)
Noisy Feyenoord supporters chanted as they congregated in Manchester city centre on Tuesday afternoon
![An estimated 4,500 Feyenoord supporters have travelled to Manchester despite the away allocation being just 3,000](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929CF100000578-5104183-image-a-22_1511283075557.jpg)
An estimated 4,500 Feyenoord supporters have travelled to Manchester despite the away allocation being just 3,000
![The crowd grew as the day went on, but many Feyenoord supporters had started drinking around 9am](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/14/46922F4300000578-5104183-image-a-48_1511275379185.jpg)
The crowd grew as the day went on, but many Feyenoord supporters had started drinking around 9am
A small number of police officers were on hand to supervise, with hundreds more expected to be deployed later in the day.
Feyenoord have a reputation for hooliganism and their previous trip to Manchester saw a woman require medical attention after being struck by a flying pint glass.
But there were no serious issues in the early afternoon on Tuesday as fans appeared in good spirits, entertaining themselves by throwing an inflatable banana in the air.
Feyenoord won their first Dutch league title since 1999 last season but look unlikely to defend that crown.
After 12 rounds of fixtures this season, the Rotterdam outfit sit seventh in the Eredivisie, 14 points behind leaders PSV.
City — who are eight points clear in England — have already booked their place in the Champions League last 16.
![Flares were lit while the travelling supporters sang songs on an otherwise dismal and rainy afternoon in the north of England](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/14/4692344200000578-5104183-image-a-49_1511275456140.jpg)
Flares were lit while the travelling supporters sang songs on an otherwise dismal and rainy afternoon in the north of England
![Many fans loaded up on beer while Feyenoord flags were hung from the roofs of local businesses](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/14/4692289000000578-5104183-image-a-51_1511275526330.jpg)
Many fans loaded up on beer while Feyenoord flags were hung from the roofs of local businesses
![There was a noticeable police presence around 2pm, with many more officers deployed later in the day](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/14/46922CCF00000578-5104183-image-a-53_1511275618685.jpg)
There was a noticeable police presence around 2pm, with many more officers deployed later in the day
![Members of the Feyenoord supporters association unveiled a huge banner in the early afternoon](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/14/46922AFB00000578-5104183-image-a-70_1511276112502.jpg)
Members of the Feyenoord supporters association unveiled a huge banner in the early afternoon
![Feyenoord fans appeared to be in high spirits, despite their team having lost all four of their previous group matches](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/15/4692288000000578-5104183-image-a-77_1511276783491.jpg)
Feyenoord fans appeared to be in high spirits, despite their team having lost all four of their previous group matches
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20171127023257/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/16/46929C7F00000578-5104183-image-a-21_1511283019523.jpg)
Shambles Square is widely known as Manchester's No 1 hot spot for visiting supporters before European ties
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