Originally Posted by pakokelso93:
“Even the +1 time difference aside, how come those European countries with 'big' teams don't seem to be bothered/moan or get a council in about it for their 6pm (7pm) legs - Some like Dortmund who are getting huge crowds. People still travelling or making it to the game for the earlier evening KO with no fuss.
Still think there is an element of arrogance about this.”
Taking everything into account there are few times, if any, the circumstances will fall together in the same way as they do for this particular occasion.
6pm is slap-bang in the middle of Manchester peak-time - 7pm wouldn't be across Europe.
The close proximity of the two cities, plus the animosity that exists between the fans, is a major concern, Anybody who's been to a match between the two teams will instantly understand the safety concerns.
The location of Old Trafford causes traffic headaches at the best of times. Add in a day of festivities on top of normal peak-time traffic and, again, anybody who's been to Old Trafford will understand the concerns.
How many of the big European teams you mention could guarantee 76,000 for a fixture? The majority of the fans - home and away - will converge on the stadium very close to a 6pm kick-off. It would be more naturally dispersed for a later one.
Policing is required in much greater numbers for this fixture. I'm sure many leaving either stadium following a game between these two have oftentimes been grateful for the increased police presence; without it there would've been carnage on more occasions than I care to remember.
I have to say, with the greatest of respect to your PoV, arrogance is a strange accusation given the circumstances.