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Manchester United fans welcomed with blankets by Rostov supporters

By James Dale

Friday 10 March 2017 06:24, UK

Manchester United fans were warned not to wear the team's colours in Rostov ahead of the game
Image: Manchester United fans were warned not to wear the team's colours in Rostov ahead of the game

Manchester United fans were given a warm welcome by Rostov supporters handing out blankets in their Europa League clash in Russia.

United had warned their travelling support to avoid wearing team colours while in the Russian city due to concerns regarding their safety.

English and Russian were involved in violent altercations during the Euro 2016 finals in France.

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According to The Telegraph, United's head of ticketing and membership Sam Kelleher sent a letter to fans also advising those heading to the game to "stay in groups".

Despite pre-match apprehension, United fans at the Olimp-2 Stadium to watch the 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-16 tie were greeted with inscribed blankets.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Zorya Luhansk and Manchester United, December 2016
Image: Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored United's away goal to earn a 1-1 draw at Rostov

The extra layering displayed the word "GENTLEFAN" boldly, with "Russian warm welcome" below, and Manchester United took to social media to offer their thanks to Rostov for their treatment of the English supporters.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said his side headed home with a "positive result" after scoring an away goal in Russia, and expects the club's home supporters to give them added motivation in the second leg.

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"The fans for sure at Old Trafford will push with us," he said. "Hopefully in one week's time, we go to the quarter-final."

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