Fallout continues following ‘violent disorder’ at Man Utd protests over weekend
Six officers were injured during the demonstrations at Old Trafford, with one video of an officer appearing to strike someone on the ground being referred to the GMP Standards Branch.
Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation into the ‘violent disorder’ at Old Trafford over the weekend – which culminated in multiple injuries, one arrest, and a video of officer conduct being referred for an internal review.
Over 1,000 fans attended Manchester United’s stadium on Sunday (May 2) ahead of the Premier League fixture with Liverpool as part of a demonstration against the club’s owners – with hundreds more gathering outside the Lowry Hotel.
Some supporters managed to break into Old Trafford itself and get onto the pitch.
The game was ultimately postponed.
Various protests have been held against the Glazer owners since the American family took full control of Man Utd in 2005. Sunday’s demonstration had been organised in response to the club’s proposed participation in the much-maligned – and now defunct – European Super League.
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📸 Manchester United fans storm Old Trafford to protest against Glazers on pitch pic.twitter.com/FBWiOS5AJH
Some parts of Sunday’s demonstrations proceeded peacefully – with supporters groups hailing a “victory“.
But later in the day, a series of ensuing scuffles resulted in six police officers being injured after being “met with hostility”.
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GMP said that “flares were let off and bottles and barriers were thrown at police and horses.”
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey called some of the behaviour “absolutely atrocious.”
He added: “Officers were just trying to do their job and facilitate a peaceful protest, however a number of those present became hostile and aggressive towards officers and forced entry to the football grounds, making it very clear that this protest was not peaceful and ruining it for the majority of protesters who had not intended for the protest to become violent.”
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One officer suffered a fractured eye socket in the disorder, whereas another “sustained a wound to his face following bottles and cans being thrown from the crowd”. Another officer was reportedly “dragged and kicked”.
Police say that a 28-year-old man has been arrested as a consequence of the investigation into the protests.
A video has also appeared on social media which appears to show an officer striking an individual on the ground after dragging them behind a police van.
According to the MEN, the footage was recorded by the team hotel and occurred after some supporters had been blocking vehicles on the nearby road.
GMP released a statement in reference to the footage that reads: “We are aware of a video circulating online of officers making an arrest during a protest today (2 May) near The Lowry Hotel.
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“The video depicts officers arresting a 28-year-old male on suspicion of a theft from a motor vehicle and a public order offence. He currently remains in custody for questioning.
“GMP’s Professional Standards Branch has been made aware of the video and will be examining the footage and all available evidence to understand the full circumstances surrounding the arrest.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also spoken out regarding the protests, telling reporters: “I don’t think it’s a good idea to have disruptive behaviour, demonstrations of that kind.
“But on the other hand, I do understand people’s strength of feeling.
“And I think that it’s a good thing that we have been able to do things that make it pretty clear that the European Super League is not going to be appreciated by the people of this country, or by this Government.”
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GMP is also appealing for any footage from the event itself as the investigation continues.
Featured image: mufctilly
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Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
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11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
The Manc -
4th May 2021 
