Police on alert as United return to West Ham

WEST HAM are confident there will be no repeat of the nasty scenes which marred Manchester United’s last visit to east London and are taking no extra security precautions for this evening’s meeting. United’s bus was pelted with bottles and other objects in a fans’ ambush on the way to West Ham’s final game at Upton Park last May. Despite trouble at the London Stadium earlier this season, West Ham have faith in their ‘robust’ security measures. The club feel they are gradually getting to grips with the problems that have overshadowed their first season at the Olympic Park. There have been no further issues since the trouble that marred their EFL Cup clash against Chelsea on October 26. Any fans caught misbehaving tonight face instant football banning orders with Metropolitan Police and London Stadium security chiefs working closely together. A police spokesman said: ‘Where possible, officers will also pursue football banning orders against individuals convicted of any footballrelated offences. So far this season, there have been five banning orders issued to fans who have committed offences at West Ham games.’ The change in venue means there is no chance of United’s coach becoming a target. The roads leading to the London Stadium are very different to those that led to Upton Park. The main route into the London Stadium is on a dual carriageway, while the road leading to Upton Park was on a busy main road leaving opposition vehicles more susceptible to incidents like last season’s. Likewise, when visiting team’s arrive at the London Stadium, they enter via a ‘sterile’ entrance meaning no supporters will be within the vicinity of the coach, which should eliminate the possibility of another ambush. United, who are scheduled to arrive at 6.30pm, are staying at a different east London hotel to the one they used for their Premier League clash against the Hammers in May.