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Manchester United and Leeds fans violently clash in stands during pre-season friendly match in Australia

Stewards and police attempted to break up the fight on the stairwell of the Optus Stadium

Jack Watson
Thursday 18 July 2019 16:11 BST
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Vicious fight breaks out between Manchester United fans and Leeds fans at match in Perth

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Manchester United’s rivalry with Leeds United was evident on the clubs' pre-season tour of Australia as supporters were filmed throwing punches and kicking each other in the stands during Wednesday's night's friendly.

The two sides met at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where United were comfortable 4-0 winners on the pitch.

But off it, scenes turned ugly as mobile phone footage revealed a supporter in a black jacket clashing with two supporters wearing Leeds shirts.

Stewards attempted to break up the clash as a number of supporters in the surrounding area became involved in the incident on the stairwell.

Punches and kicks were exchanged as police arrived to help break up the fight.

United supporter Caitlin Rose saw the brawl and told Perth Now how quickly things escalated: “I personally wasn’t scared but quite a few others were and some ladies were screaming so much for police to come as it just escalated so quickly.

“Some people then left after the police came as it was near the end of the game.”

Supporters clashed in the stands
Supporters clashed in the stands (Caitlin Rose)

Leeds and Manchester United’s rivalry dates back to some of the darkest days of England’s trouble with football hooliganism.

The two sides rarely meet following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in 2004.

Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial scored on the night as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side wrapped up a comfortable win.

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