Police said the fans were taken from Piccadilly station, where the brawl took place, to Old Trafford.

It is believed that the fight involved between 50 and 100 fans, and there have been reports of several other incidents throughout the day.

Say it with flowers

A gang of petty thieves on community service has caused a stir after arranging daffodil bulbs to spell a rather flowery phrase.

The 12 crooks were ordered to plant hundreds of the bulbs along one of Rotheram's main roads to brighten up the South Yorkshire town.

But it was only when the bulbs sprouted this week that the townspeople saw the fruits of their labours.

The horticultural swear words have attracted people from miles around, according to residents on the East Bawtry Road.

Resident Alan McCue, 48, said: "I can see the funny side, but it doesn't really create a good impression of the town. We're all a bit worried what might come up next."

A football match between an English pub side and Kosovo refugees was called off after fighting broke out between them.

The match, between a Leeds pub and a team of Kosovo Albanian refugees, was organised to promote friendship between the locals and the refugees.

But it was abandoned over a corner kick, when spectators said a Kosovan punched an English player in the face. The score had been 1-1.

Fighting then broke out between both sides, and an English player was left with a bloody nose. Mark Stanton, a player for the Queen's Arms pub in Chapel Allerton, said he still hoped for a replay.

But he did add that "one of their players seemed intent on trouble".

Disruption to Channel Tunnel services has ended after damage to a power cable led to a section being closed on Tuesday.