Police today issued a plea for calm ahead of Leeds United's high-profile FA Cup clash with arch-rivals Manchester United. Greater Manchester Police are mounting a massive security operation around tomorrow's match, the first meeting between the two clubs since 2004.
Leeds will take around 9,000 supporters to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground for the third round tie, which is being broadcast live on ITV.
Click here for latest Leeds United news. Match commander Supt John Graves is pledging that everything possible will be done to keep the peace at a game his force are treating as "high risk".
Click here to watch the latest edition of The Boot Room. Supt Graves said: "This is a highly-anticipated fixture for both sets of fans. Our aim is to help make the occasion a safe and enjoyable one for everyone involved.
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"We will not hesitate to make arrests of troublemakers."
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Special attention, added Supt Graves, was being paid to the potential for booze-fuelled disorder.
He said: "In recent weeks we have been asking local pubs and off-licences to limit their sales and opening times, and advising coach operators of the dangers of transporting drunken fans."
"Anyone arriving at the stadium drunk will be refused entry and is likely to be arrested."
The rivalry between the two Uniteds is one of the fiercest in English football and has on occasion boiled over into off-the-pitch disturbances.
Dozens of yobs fought running battles outside Leeds's Elland Road stadium for more than 90 minutes after the sides met in the Premiership in September 2002.
Around 50 hooligans had earlier ambushed two buses carrying away fans near the Wheatsheaf pub.
Trouble also flared close to the Burger King fast food restaurant on the Beeston ring road.
The clubs have been kept apart in recent years by Leeds's relegation from the Premiership and their subsequent drop into League One.
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