POLICE and football fans clashed tonight ahead of Manchester United's home game against AS Roma.

Up to 100 people were involved in the street fights with Greater Manchester Police officers at Manchester's Old Trafford football ground.

Police dog units and mounted officers became involved with a series of scuffles with supporters close to the stadium's front entrance on Sir Matt Busby Way.

Fans are understood to have hurled bottles and missiles at police lines outside the ground.

A group of around 1,000 mostly AS Roma supporters gathered around the main entranceway, although it is believed only 100 were involved in violence.

Some fans suffered cuts and other injuries.

The violence appeared to last only a few minutes and was quickly brought under control by officers.

The ugly scenes followed last week's violent clashes in the first leg of the Uefa Champion's League quarter final in Rome.

Hundreds of British fans were left bloodied and bandaged after they were beaten by Italian riot police last Wednesday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said officers had made "a number of arrests" today but were unable to provide exact figures at this stage.

She added: "The scuffles lasted only around five or six minutes.

"There were a couple of isolated skirmishes with fans but these appear to have been brought under control."