HARDCORE Manchester United hooligans seem bent on causing trouble when the Reds play Roma in the Champions League next month.

Ugly scenes and violence have marred the four previous clashes between the clubs in the last year. And the authorities fear yet more trouble when the clubs clash again next month at the Stadio Olimpico for the first leg of the quarter final and then the second leg at Old Trafford.

As soon as the draw was made, one supporter on the unofficial United website Red-issue wrote: "Bring on the Italian b******s." Another said: "We can sort it out on and off the pitch in the second leg."

Officials are due to fly out to Rome next week to discuss security.

Police `spotters' will travel with the United supporters for the away leg in Rome on April 1 or 2 to keep on eye on hooligans. In December, five United supporters were stabbed in Rome following a clash in the group stage of the competition.

Violence erupted between rival fans before the game with Roma, and police made several baton charges.

The violence flared on a bridge near the stadium which has been the scene of many clashes between visiting fans and Roma's notorious Ultras.

Four United fans were jailed and remain behind bars in Italy following the clashes that night.

Partially-sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, near Hyde, was jailed for 30 months on charges of assault and resisting arrest. Richard Wimmer, 39, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was also sentenced to 30 months, while Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Michael Burke, 35, from Little Hulton, were jailed for 29 months.

Friends and family are campaigning to free them.

Last season there was more trouble. Following a baton charge by riot police at the Stadio Olimpico, 11 people were taken to hospital and pictures of bloodied supporters were beamed across the world.

Scuffles also erupted outside Old Trafford during the second leg of the tie, with 21 people arrested. Asked if he feared some United hooligans would seek revenge, Pierluigi Puglia, spokesman for the British Embassy in Rome, said: "I really hope the United fans will come to Rome and enjoy a great event.

"We consider it should be a great sporting event. We really hope it will be trouble-free.

"A meeting between all the parties involved in this match is planned for next week in Rome, and our staff will attend."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "We are hugely experienced at policing large-scale football games and will ensure that adequate resources to police the area are in place for United's home tie."

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