United fans blasted after trying to incite violence at City's Champions League bow

A section of Manchester United fans have been branded 'despicable' for trying to provoke violence at rivals City's Champions League debut.

Messages designed to incite trouble were posted by users posing as City supporters on internet forums used by Napoli fans.

The Italian club travel to the Etihad Stadium on September 14 for City's bow in Europe's premier club competition, before hosting Roberto mancini's side on November 22.

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The taunts were posted after one user posted on an unofficial United fans' message board: 'So are we all invading the Napoli forums pretending to be 'bitters' and winding them up?'

There followed instructions on what sites to visit and how to register.

Some City fans have since posted their own messages blaming United supporters for the provocative behaviour, according to the M.E.N.

Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer, who is a United fan, said: 'There's enough trouble in football without people trying to wind it up.

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'In a sense, it's despicable because people could get seriously hurt as a result of this.

'Any rivalry between United and City should remain on the pitch and not in Italy.'

Greater Manchester police have said they will investigate.