Pep Guardiola and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have both condemned scenes in the stands at the Etihad Stadium
The Football Association and police are investigating allegations of crowd disorder at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Manchester City booked their place in the final of the Carabao Cup for the third successive season at the expense of rivals Manchester United with a 3-2 aggregate win, despite a 1-0 defeat on the night .
But the match was tarnished by some of the scenes in the stands that drew condemnation from Pep Guardiola, the City manager, and his United counterpart, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Footage appeared of a few City fans making aeroplane gestures in relation to the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of 29 People, including eight United players and the former City goalkeeper turned journalist, Frank Swift. It will be the nd anniversary of the tragedy next Thursday.
United fans were also apparently seen throwing seats into the home end. A red smoke canister also appeared to be thrown into the City section after Nemanja Matic’s 46 th-minute goal gave United a first-half lead.
Greater Manchester Police said they were working with City to examine CCTV footage and identify any culprits. The FA have also been made aware of the alleged incidents and have launched a probe. GMP have already arrested one man, aged 43, on suspicion of possession of a flare.
The previous meeting between the clubs, in the Premier League last month, was marred by alleged racist abuse of Fred, the United midfielder, by a City fan. Fred also appeared to be hit by an object thrown from the crowd.
“I didn’t know about it but I don’t like it,” Guardiola said of the scenes on Wednesday night. “When you talk about what happened, I didn’t know it, but that is not nice. Absolutely not. ”
Solskjaer echoed Guardiola’s sentiments. “I’m going to stand behind Pep there,” he said. “We want a rivalry but let’s keep it at a sane level and let’s make sure we eradicate that.”
Bruno Fernandes underwent his Manchester United medical on Thursday Credit : REX
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes is close to formally completing his initial £ . 6 million move to United from Sporting Lisbon.
The Portugal midfielder underwent a medical on Thursday and is expected to be registered before the Friday noon deadline in time to make his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Argentine club Estudiantes have confirmed United defender Marcos Rojo will be joining them on a season-long loan until the end of the season.
United are still looking to sign a forward before the close of the transfer window on Friday, with Solskjaer admitting he needs more goals from his team. Marcus Rashford is out for months with a double stress fracture in his back that has robbed Solskjaer of his leading goalscorer.
Solskjaer thought he had a deal in place for Erling Haaland this month after the Norway striker told him face to face he would join United only to sign for Borussia Dortmund instead.
“We need more goalscorers, more goals, someone who wants to break their nose or toe, it doesn’t have to be nice ones,” he said. “I need to challenge them more. We can’t just score nice goals. ”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings