Warning over 'significant delays' in Manchester city centre as 6,000 football fans walk to Old Trafford

A warning over 'significant delays' across the city centre has been issued as thousands of football fans walk to Old Trafford ahead of a Europa League tie between Manchester United and Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

Kick-off is at 8pm tonight, but Transport for Greater Manchester said 'approximately 6,000 Bodo/Glimt supporters' were due to walk to the ground between 5pm and 6pm on Thursday. TfGM has issued a statement 'strongly advising' against driving to the game.

The organised fan walk, a regular occurrence on nights of European football in Manchester, will see fans leaving Shambles Square in the city centre to walk down Deansgate and Chester Road to Old Trafford stadium.

READ MORE: Body of baby found on field in Salford confirmed as newborn girl

"This will affect traffic around the city centre from 5pm and will see disruption on the highway, particularly the ring road, Mancunian Way and those used by the fans," said TfGM.

"We are expecting long delays, up to 40 minutes, on Deansgate, Chester Road and Mancunian Way as Bodo/Glimt fans walk to the stadium." Comedian Micky Flanagan is also performing at Co-op Live, with the gig sold-out.

"We are strongly dissuading people from driving to either the Manchester United fixture or Co-op Live event," added TfGM. "For anyone that does have to drive to either event, we are encouraging you to park away from the area and use a Park and Ride site to complete your journey to the venue."

The so-called 'fan walk' will be heavily policed by Greater Manchester Police. Stagecoach buses, meanwhile, also reported services would run up to 30 minutes late.

They said on social media: "GMP will conduct a fan walk from the city centre to the ground this will cause severe delays around the city centre, Deansgate, Stretford & Old Trafford - please allow extra time for your journey."

Thousands of supporters of Dutch side Feyenoord were pictured in Manchester city centre on Tuesday night ahead of the Champions League tie with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Photographs showed masses of fans in high spirits walking to the ground heavily policed prior to kick-off, with reports suggesting the city centre was very busy as a result. Similar travel warnings were issued then.

Tonight's fixture is Ruben Amorim's first home game in charge.

Amorim started his United tenure with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday and will now be determined to oversee his first win since succeeding Erik ten Hag earlier this month.

United have won just one of their opening four Europa League outings this season, drawing three, meaning they need to up the ante in their quest to automatically quality for the knockout stages.