Extra police deployed in Manchester ahead of cup fixtures
Wednesday 28 October 2015 19:38, UK
Over 100,000 football supporters are expected in Manchester on Wednesday evening as Manchester United and Manchester City play at home on the same night for the first time in six years.
United welcome Middlesbrough to Old Trafford in the fourth-round of the Capital One Cup, while City host Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in the same round of the competition.
It will be the first time since 2009 that the two clubs have played at home on the same night and Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable John O'Hare is aware of the challenge it poses.
"There are a couple of priorities. Firstly to keep the city moving, it's a busy city and keep the infrastructure in place, make sure the transport networks are performing to its optimum and that there's extra support available in terms of metro link and buses. Also encouraging people to plan their journeys either to or from work or if they are coming to watch the fixtures," O'Hare told Sky Sports News HQ.
"On top of that of course, it's about having 100,000 people in the city on a Wednesday night. Most cities would welcome that, but we have to make sure that we can do that in a safe and effective manner."
City's match with Palace kicks off at 7.45pm, with United's clash with Middlesbrough starting 15 minutes later at 8pm.
